[Troop # 51-100], 1990
Scope and Contents
This sub-series is comprised of correspondence received by Armstrong after he left the University of Cincinnati. In 1980 he hired Vivian White as his administrative aide. Per White, as stated in Armstrong's Biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, by James Hansen, Armstrong often composed form letters himself, and he often signed anything he was asked to sign, except first-day covers. White began to check the files for repeat requesters, hence the reason some files from the 1970s were carried forward during her tenure. Hansen also notes that in 1993 Armstrong realized his autographs were being sold over the Internet, and he found many of his signatures to be forgeries. It was at this time he stopped signing letters.
This correspondence was found grouped into the following categories; an autograph or autographed picture, congratulatory letter on becoming an Eagle Scout, individual requests from youth for information about piloting or space exploration, similar requests from entire classes, students asking about astronaut qualifications, donations or contributions for a charitable auction, invitations for specific events, requests for speaking engagements, queries from authors for forewords to their book and media interview requests. Most of the media requests were declined by standardized letters, unless Armstrong accepted, in which case he composed and signed a personal letter.
There is also one commemorative scrapbook which contains correspondence and and copy of "Fly Me To The Moon," by the Kona Brass, a musical journey honoring the Apollo 11 moon landing," 40th anniversary, 2009.
Dates
- Creation: 1990
Creator
- From the Collection: Armstrong, Neil, 1930-2012 (Person)
Language of Materials
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 Sub-Series: 5.054 Cubic Feet (Nine letter-size full-width manuscript boxes, three letter-size half-width manuscript boxes, one legal-size full-width manuscript box, and one flat box)
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