Discover charming Northern California home, a perfect fit for astronaut-owner
You might expect an astronaut to feel at home in a house with a dramatic entry, wonderful split staircase that draws your eyes up to the next level, soaring ceilings and expansive spaces full of natural light.
That’s what an elegant home in Northern California for sale for $2.5 million offers. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence spanning over 3,000 square feet is owned by — you guessed it — Apollo 9 Astronaut Russell (Rusty) Schweickart and his wife Nancy Ramsey. They’ve lived there for 25 years.
“From our first visit, the stunning entry welcomed us in with its soaring ceilings, splendid staircase and light,” the couple said in a statement emailed to The Sacramento Bee. “From there the house flows from room to room and makes living there easy and fun. Up, down and all around there is a warm openness that makes for comfortable living and perfect entertaining inside or out. “
Kathleen Leonard of Compass is the listing agent for the home at 760 5th St. East.
“The grand, double staircase reminded the owners of their Martha’s Vineyard home, and they fell in love with it,” she said. in an email. “Our space-loving owner brought his experience of the stars home with him in the ceiling light in the entryway. Its adjustable halo is soft and glows like a nearby star.”
Schweickart piloted the Lunar Module on Apollo 9 in 1969 and performed the first in-space test of the Apollo portable life-support backpack system. He joined NASA as one of 14 astronauts in October 1963. Following his NASA career, Schweickart served in the office of California Gov. Jerry Brown as his assistant for science and technology.
Ramsey, a futurist, author and entrepreneur, was a legislative aide to Sen. John Kerry.
They purchased the home in 2000 for $680,000, according to public property records.
Their comfortable, exquisite home on the east side of the charming wine-country town flows across an open-concept floor plan with a formal dining room and spacious kitchen and breakfast nook. A large living room under high ceilings features a fireplace and windows to the back garden.
A beautiful sunroom
“Between the kitchen and living room is a magical space,” the property listing states.
That’s where a beautiful orangerie, or sunroom, with floor- to-ceiling windows and skylights sits, bringing the outdoors inside. It’s the centerpiece of the home, designed for year-round entertaining or quiet reading and movie nights.
“Our orangerie was inspired by the grand, antique orangeries of old Europe that bring the beautiful outside in and share nature’s beauty all year long,” the couple said. “The colors and design of our lovely garden can join the room while the skylights welcome both sun and stars. Then, like magic, it is a perfect space for relaxed reading or streaming. It made the renovation complete and anchors the home into unique comfort. “
A private outdoor space provides a serene backdrop for dining al fresco in the garden.
“The upstairs library atop the staircase is a peaceful, relaxing space where its bay window spreads gentle light across the room while the bookcases and cabinets can transform it into a work or play space,” according to Schweickart and Ramsey.
This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 12:52 PM.
