Flight and Space. Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives
Collecting Area
Identifier: Flight and Space
Purdue Archives and Special Collections' collection of primary source materials on the history and development of powered flight began in 1940 with the gift of aviator Amelia Earhart's papers by her husband, George Palmer Putnam. Since that initial donation, the number of flight-related archival collections has increased to reflect the steady growth of faculty and alumni contributions to the development of flight and later, space exploration. The Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives was established in 2011 with generous support provided by Barron Hilton and the Conrad Hilton Foundation and now includes the papers of engineers, aviation professionals, scholars, and astronauts including Purdue distinguished alumni such as Neil A. Armstrong and Eugene Cernan.
Found in 174 Collections and/or Records:
Ralph O. Brown papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 180
Scope and Contents
The Ralph O. Brown papers document Brown's businesses, Southside Studio, Huntington, Indiana and the Northern Indiana Aerial Photographic and Survey Service. The papers are comprised of Ralph O. Brown's pilot flight records and log books, which include his remarks and notations and Brown's journal which contains stories, including, "My First Solo Flight," and "Flying Dangerous or Not?" Also included are business receipts (1950s), business related correspondence, two clippings about Brown and...
Dates:
1940 - 1976
Barrett S. Caldwell papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 78
Scope and Contents
This collection originally consisted of one folder containing one article by Barrett Caldwell. Professor Caldwell later donated seventeen cubic feet of materials. The original article was incorporated into this larger collection.
The collection now consists of his papers and publications, research files, audio visual materials (including physical, analog, and digital materials), and two artifact items.
Dates:
1943 - 2012; Majority of material found within 1990 - 2008
Eugene A. Cernan "High Flight" poem
Collection — Box Communal Collections 68: Series MSP 194, Series 2; Series UA 160, Series 6; Series MSA 371, Series 1; Series MSA 371, Series 2; Series MSF 513, Series 4; Series UA 182, Series 2; Series MSP 311, Series 3; Series MSF 447, Series 1; Series MSA 320, Series 2; Series MSF 555, Series 4; Series UA 182, Series 4, Placement: 04
Identifier: MSP 149
Scope and Contents
Copy of "High Flight" poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr., affixed to board. The poem was taken by Eugene A. Cernan on Apollo 10's mission to the moon, May 18 - 26, 1969. It is inscribed by Cernan; "To Mitch Simmons - So as never to forget we took this copy of High Flight to the moon on Apollo X 18-26 May 1969. You above all can appreciate it's significance, Sincerely Gene Cernan."
The letter of authenticity was signed by Cernan on August 25, 2010 and is housed with the poem.
The letter of authenticity was signed by Cernan on August 25, 2010 and is housed with the poem.
Dates:
circa 1969
Eugene A. Cernan papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 288
Scope and Contents
The Eugene A. Cernan papers document the military, aeronautics, and astronautics career of Eugene A. Cernan, as well as his subsequent professional and public activities. The papers also feature records pertaining to Cernan's youth, family, and education. The collection includes but is not limited to artifacts, audiovisual recordings, awards, books, certificates, coins, correspondence, documents, mission patches, newspaper clippings, photographs, plaques, publications, scrapbooks, speeches,...
Dates:
1934 - 2016; Majority of material found within 1956 - 2012
Roger B. Chaffee letter and postcard
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 282
Scope and Contents
The letter dated July 24, 1965 is from Roger Chaffee to his parents. On the reverse is a July 25, 1965 note from Martha Chaffee to her in-laws in which she signs, "Roger, Martha, Sheryl and Steve." In the letter, Roger discussed an upcoming flight and the astronaut's rotation as capsule communicator (CAPCOM). He mentions Gus Grissom, Gene Cernan, Jim McDivitt, Buzz Aldrin and Dave Scott. Both Roger and Martha discuss recent family activities at home. The postcard, dated July 1965, was sent by...
Dates:
1967
Charles F. Holleman papers
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2023-122
Dates:
1939 - 1993
Charter Air Service memorandum
Unprocessed — Box Communal Accessions 52
Identifier: 2023-026
Paul Church papers
Collection — Box Communal Collections 4, Placement: 10
Identifier: MSA 67
Scope and Contents
Photographs of Boilermaker Pete, Paul Church's P-47, after frag explosion on takeoff, along with photographs of other pilots.
Article about crash, but publication information is not available, 1947.
Dates:
undated
Collection of Aircraft Navigation tools and kit
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 2023-115
Dates:
circa 1940
Collection of Astronaut and Space memorabilia, addition 01
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 20120228
Dates:
1960s
Collection of Condolences and Memorial Objects Placed at the Neil Armstrong Statue on Purdue University Campus
Unprocessed — Box 1
Identifier: 2023-067
Dates:
2012
Collection of Neil Armstrong and Janet Shearon Armstrong materials
Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 20181201
Dates:
1966-1970
Collection of Purdue Astronaut slide rules
Collection — Box 8 items
Identifier: MSA 254
Scope and Contents
Slide rules of six Purdue alumni astronauts: Neil Armstrong, Roy Bridges, Eugene Cernan, Richard Covey, Guy Gardner, and Jerry Ross.
Dates:
Other: undated
Collection on Louise and Eugene Poitevin
Unprocessed — Box Communal Accessions 66, Folder: 1
Identifier: 20190705
Dates:
1854
Joni Comstock collection on Janice Voss
Collection — Box Box 1
Identifier: MSA 309
Abstract
The collection includes materials gathered by Joni Comstock that are related to Janice Voss,
Dates:
1993-1993; Other: Date acquired: 11/08/2012
Len Cormier papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 207
Scope and Contents
The Len Cormier papers document Cormier's work as a commercial space flight pioneer. The majority of the papers include drawings, designs, blueprints, and papers related to engineer Cormier's work to design commercial reusable launch vehicles and other orbital vehicles. Types of materials include blueprints, engineering designs, maps, a model (Space Van), papers, posters, reports, topographical maps and VHS tapes.
Dates:
1944 - 2007; Majority of material found within 1980 - 1988
Clarence Frank Cornish papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 323
Scope and Contents
The Clarence Frank Cornish papers consist of letters, correspondence, photographs, awards and certificates, flight logs, aviator textiles and goggles, newspaper clippings, and artifacts documenting Clarence "Cap" Frank Cornish's air training and service during World War One, his service at Army Air Forces Headquarters during World War Two, his work for the Aeronautics Commission of Indiana, his participation in several aeronautical organizations, and his role in the development aeronautics and...
Dates:
1908 - 2018; Majority of material found within 1917 - 1995
Lana Murphy Couch papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 312
Scope and Contents
The Lana Murphy Couch papers document Couch's forty year career with NASA, first as a wind tunnel test engineer, and later in management positions. Types of materials include: correspondence, newsletters, papers, photographs, programs, publications, research and work reports, technical reports, VHS tapes, writings, and material related to award recognition.
Dates:
1953 - 1997; Majority of material found within 1970 - 1995
William G. Cowdin papers
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 310
Scope and Contents
The William G. Cowdin papers document Cowdin's role as Aerojet program manager for the Dyna-Soar boost rocket engines. This collection includes two 8" x 10" photographs taken during a 1961 Dyna-Soar full scale mockup review, Boeing Co., Seattle, 1961. The photographs include NASA test pilots and Aerojet project team including Neil Armstrong, William Dana, James Woods, Henry Gordon, William Knight, and Aerojet program manager and Purdue graduate William Cowdin. Also included is a biographical...
Dates:
1961 - 2014
Mark K. Craig papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 81
Scope and Contents
The Mark K. Craig papers document Purdue alumnus (BSAE 1971) Mark Craig's almost fifty year career in space exploration. Craig contributed to the Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Space Shuttle, Space Station, Mars Rover Sample Return, and Lunar-Mars Exploration programs in positions progressing from co-op intern to NASA Assistant Administrator. The papers also reflect Craig’s work on space policy and NASA strategic planning. The collection notably includes materials related to the day-to-day...
Dates:
1917 - 2016; Majority of material found within 1980 - 2000
Charles H. Daudt First National Intercollegiate Air Meet scrapbook
Collection — Box 1
Identifier: MSA 236
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook documents the administration, participants, and results of the first National Intercollegiate Air Meet held June 21-22, 1935 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The scrapbook, created by the air meet manager, Charles H. Daudt, includes entry forms, race event rules, race maps, publicity material, participant scores for each event, and results. The scrapbook also includes correspondence related to the original donation of the scrapbook by Charles Daudt in 1976 to...
Dates:
1934 - 1976; Majority of material found within 1934 - 1935
John Dean scrapbook page and Purdue diploma
Collection — Box Communal Collections 49: Series MSA 29, Series 2; Series Series 1; Series Series 2; Series MSF 83, Series 3; Series MSP 142, Series 2, Placement: 03
Identifier: MSA 317
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of John I. Dean's 1940 Purdue University diploma, and one scrapbook page belonging to Major Dean. The front page is titled "All Purdue Men," Lubbock Army Flying School, Lubbock Texas, May 1943. The scrapbook second page (or back page) is titled: "My Advanced Flying School Instructor and Students, Lubbock Texas, June 1943." Men identified in the photo are: L-R (standing) Bill Brucker, Al Edes, Burt Walkup (The Instructor), Me [John Irwin Dean], Paul Cooper. L-R...
Dates:
1940 - 1943
Harold M. DeGroff, Jr. papers
Collection — Box 1: Series MSF 477, Series 1; Series MSF 477, Series 2; Series MSF 477, Series 3; Series MSF 477, Series 4
Identifier: MSF 477
Scope and Contents
The Harold M. DeGroff, Jr. papers document aspects of the career of longtime Purdue University faculty member and former Dean of Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics from 1955-1963, during the height of the "space race." Some of the featured items in the collection are a letter of recommendation for assignment to the Naval V-12 College of Training Program and a notice of separation from the United States Naval Service. Items pertaining to DeGroff's Purdue career include...
Dates:
1943 - 2010; Other: Majority of material found within 1951 - 1968
Distinguished Engineering Alumni photograph
Unprocessed — Box Communal Accessions 68
Identifier: 2024-019
Dates:
1967