Flight and Space. Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives

Collecting Area

Identifier: Flight and Space

Staff Only

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 186 Collections and/or Records:

Wagner Collection of Space Exploration and Moon Landing First Day Covers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 491

Scope and Contents This collection contains eight volumes of Space Exploration and Moon Landing First Day Covers, containing an extensive and unique look into the stamps and first day covers of the early era of flight and space. They are primarily United States issued, but the collection also contains numerous international first day covers. Binder one begins with a stamp, issued July 20, 1969 and includes a "memorandum for the vice president, as Chairman of the Space Council to be in charge of...

Dates: 1961 - 1986; Other: Majority of material found within 1969

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Charles M. Ehresman papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 490

Scope and Contents The Charles M. Ehresman papers document the work and professional activities of Charles M. Ehresman, designer of Purdue University's High Pressure Rocket Laboratory, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, and operations manager of Purdue's Thermal Sciences and Propulsion Center (known today as Zucrow Laboratories). The collection also documents the design and construction of the High Pressure Rocket Laboratory and its early administration and operations, as well as materials...

Dates: 1897 - 2011; Other: Majority of material found within 1960 - 1972; Other: Majority of material found within 1997 - 2009

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Amelia Earhart at Purdue papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSF 450

Scope and Contents

The Amelia Earhart at Purdue papers document Amelia Earhart's arrival at Purdue University, her time there, and the efforts to memorialize Earhart after her disappearance. Types of materials include correspondence, ephemera, administrative reports, photographs, publicity materials, and speeches.

Dates: 1935 - 2000; Majority of material found within 1935 - 1937

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Neil A. Armstrong papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 5

Scope and Contents The Neil A. Armstrong papers document the military, aeronautics, astronautics, teaching and corporate business career of Neil A. Armstrong. The papers also feature items from Armstrong's youth and education. The collection includes but is not limited to documents, coursework, working papers, subject files, correspondence, writings, speeches, recordings, photographs and newspaper clippings. The papers are divided into eighteen series, and further information on the scope and content of the...

Dates: 1671 - 2012; Majority of material found within 1960 - 2012

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

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...

Dates: 1967

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Wilmer Stultz papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 38

Scope and Contents

The Wilmer Stultz papers document Wilmer Stultz's role as pilot in the 1928 transatlantic flight aboard the "Friendship" Fokker airplane. Types of materials in the papers include a flight plan, photograph, contract, letter, and Stultz's pilot's license.

Dates: 1927 - 1928; Other: Majority of material found within 1927 - 1928

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Rose Bowl ticket envelope signed by Purdue astronauts

Collection — Box Communal Collections 73, Placement: 1

Identifier: MSP 249

Scope and Contents

One Rose Bowl ticket envelope, signed by Purdue astronauts Neil Armstrong, Eugene Cernan, Roger Chaffee, and Gus Grissom in 1967. Signatures were collected by Dean O. D. Roberts and his wife.

Dates: 1967

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Purdue University Astronauts collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSP 168

Scope and Contents The Purdue University Astronauts collection consists of items relating to Purdue's alumni astronauts that had been collected by various donors before the advent of the Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives. Included are newspaper clippings, Purdue University News Service press releases that had been written in regards to Neil A. Armstrong and Apollo 11, and various newspapers with Apollo 11 headlines and related clippings. Also included are Purdue University related...

Dates: 1965 - 2003

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections