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Personal Correspondence, 1970 - 2012

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 5, Series 10

Scope and Contents

The personal correspondence files consist of incoming letters, cards, requests and copies of replies dating from 1970-2012. Much of this correspondence could be considered fan mail and is global in scope. Please note that personal correspondence prior to 1970 that related directly to Neil Armstrong's Gemini and Apollo missions can be found in Series I, "NASA Career." Also please note that some of the correspondence from Armstrong's later years can be found among the active subject files in Series 9. Subject Files. The correspondence in Series 9 is primarily characterized by being with those Armstrong had an ongoing relationship.



Whenever possible, the personal correspondence has been maintained according to the designated categories established by the secretary who handled Armstrong's correspondence during their respective years of employment. Per notations on the correspondence, the following secretaries took care of Armstrong's correspondence that came through NASA, Office of Public Affairs; "S.B. Weber" took care of the replies from 1970-1971; "(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes, Secretary to Mr. Armstrong," 1971-1972; "(Mrs.) Fern Lee Pickens, Office of Public Affairs," 1972-1973. Letters needing translation were sent to "KSS/ Mr. Nagurney."

Secretaries at the University of Cincinnati who handled Professor Armstrong's correspondence were, Ruta Bankovskis, 1971-1973; (Miss) Luanna J. Fisher, 1974-1975, and 1976-1979 correspondence was handled by Elaine Moore. In 1974 Armstrong begins to refer requests for non-academic appearances to: Mr. Thomas Stix, Stix and Gude, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020. In 1980 Armstrong hired Vivian White as his administrative aide, and she managed the correspondence throughout Armstrong'’s later years.

Dates

  • 1970 - 2012

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection material is primarily in English. Russian is also present.

Access Information

Collection is open for scholarly research. A 48 hours notice and consultation with the Flight Archivist is required to access the collection.  Portions of the collection are restricted per donor restrictions and third party privacy.

Extent

From the Collection: 221.700 Cubic Feet (301 letter-size full-width manuscript boxes, 43 letter-size half-width manuscript boxes, 34 cubic feet boxes, 32 legal-size full-width manuscript boxes, five legal-size half-width manuscript boxes, 31 flat boxes, 27 small archival boxes, four shoe boxes, two large textile boxes, two flat file drawers, eight framed items, a suitcase and a briefcase)

Arrangement

The correspondence is arranged into six sub-series. A detailed description of each sub-series precedes the listing for each.
  1. Completed Correspondence
  2. [OFF-Sort and P.R.]
  3. Correspondence from Organizations and Schools
  4. Invitations, Requests and General Correspondence
  5. Miscellaneous Correspondence
  6. Correspondence, Post-University of Cincinnati

Processing Information

In this finding aid the text in [ ] is exactly as Armstrong and his assistants had the files labeled. Much of the correspondence was arranged alphabetically by the sender's last name or organization name. Found within the series are binders; [NASA FORM LTRS] and [Form Letters] "and codes," which were used when a standard reply was indicated by Armstrong.



Whenever possible, the personal correspondence has been maintained according to the designated categories established by the secretary who handled Armstrong's correspondence during their respective years of employment.

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
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