Jul 20, 2015 10:51 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum has chosen to make its first ever Kickstarter campaign an effort to preserve a significant piece of American history.

According to the Washington Post, the Smithsonian's federal funding does not cover the preservation and restoration; the museum typically does that with private donations. Among an upcoming wave of Internet crowdfunding efforts, the Smithsonian is aiming to raise $500,000 to conserve the spacesuit Neil Armstrong wore when walking on the moon.

"Through Kickstarter, we are reaching global audiences with the ability to make amazing projects come to life," Yoonhyung Lee, director of digital philanthropy at the Smithsonian, said in a press release. "The public will have the chance to directly contribute to specific Smithsonian projects and follow the creative process from fundraising through completion, regardless of their level of support."

The museum launched the campaign on Monday, July 20, which is the 46th anniversary of Armstrong's feat. As of Monday morning, the funding campaign had raised nearly $20,000 in pledges.

Donors will receive tokens such as replica patches, 3-D prints of the suit's glove, or the chance to for an exclusive "behind-the-scenes experience" at the Smithsonian.

"It's a privilege to be working with the Smithsonian to get important projects like this out into the world," Yancey Strickler, CEO and cofounder of Kickstarter, said in the release. "This is the first time we've teamed up with a museum in this way. We are enormous admirers of the Smithsonian, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with them and to invite new audiences to be a part of their work. I can't wait to back this project!"

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