Artifacts, 1920 - 2011
Scope and Contents
The artifacts series houses items of various sizes and in a variety of media, and includes artwork, awards, memorabilia, and some collected items most likely from Neil Armstrong's youth. Much of the artwork came as gifts to Armstrong from colleagues, friends, and admirers. Also included in the series are plaques and awards granted to Armstrong for his service in the NASA manned space program, as well as his professional career at the University of Cincinnati and as a member of several professional boards and commissions. In addition to official award plaques and certificates, Armstrong also collected an array of commemorative coins and medallions related to space flight and exploration, which we have preserved in arrangements according to how Armstrong himself stored them. The series also contains a variety of commemorative memorabilia, including a 1967 Rose Bowl football signed by the winning Boilermakers, and models of different space crafts.
Items of note, which are likely from Armstrong's childhood, include his geology collection, wooden model planes, and a small collection of stamps.
Dates
- Creation: 1920 - 2011
Creator
- From the Collection: Armstrong, Neil, 1930-2012 (Person)
Language of Materials
Collection material is primarily in English. Russian and Korean 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
28.231 Cubic Feet (50 archival containers of varying sizes)
Arrangement
Series eleven is arranged into twelve sub-series.
- Artwork
- Awards and Plaques
- Coins
- Commemorative Coins and Medallions
- Commemorative Memorabilia
- Commemorative Models
- Geology Collection
- Honorary Degrees and Appointments
- Models
- Stamps
- Textiles
- Miscellaneous Memorabilia
- Box: 344 (Realia)
- Box: 345 (Realia)
- Box: 346 (Realia)
- Box: 347 (Realia)
- Box: 348 (Realia)
- Box: 349 (Realia)
- Box: 350 (Realia)
- Box: 351 (Realia)
- Box: 351a (Realia)
- Box: 352 (Realia)
- Box: 353 (Realia)
- Box: 353a (Realia)
- Box: 353b (Realia)
- Box: 354 (Realia)
- Box: 355 (Realia)
- Box: 356 (Realia)
- Box: 357 (Realia)
- Box: 358 (Realia)
- Box: 359 (Realia)
- Box: 360 (Realia)
- Box: 361 (Realia)
- Box: 362 (Realia)
- Box: 363 (Realia)
- Box: 364 (Realia)
- Box: 365 (Realia)
- Box: 366 (Realia)
- Box: 366a (Realia)
- Box: 367 (Realia)
- Box: 368 (Realia)
- Box: 368a (Realia)
- Box: 369 (Realia)
- Box: 370 (Realia)
- Box: 370a (Realia)
- Box: 371 (Realia)
- Box: 372 (Realia)
- Box: 373 (Realia)
- Box: 374 (Realia)
- Box: 375 (Realia)
- Box: 375a (Realia)
- Box: 375b (Realia)
- Box: 376 (Realia)
- Box: 376a (Realia)
- Box: 377 (Realia)
- Box: 378 (Realia)
- Box: 379 (Realia)
- Box: 379a (Realia)
- Box: 380 (Realia)
- Box: 380a (Realia)
- Box: 381 (Realia)
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu