Share Your Mercury Memories Time Capsule Collection
Scope and Contents
Series I: Writings, Undated, includes twenty-nine memory sheets written by Project Mercury workers which are scheduled to be opened on July 21, 2038 at noon. Originally, the sealed envelopes were housed in Mercury Project Capsule. After the collection was processed, the envelopes were removed from the capsule and sorted out by the participants last name in A to Z order, and then placed each envelope in an acid free folder.
Series II: Artifacts, 1960-2003, Undated, these materials are provided for display purposes once the capsule is opened. Includes trading cards, publications, newspapers, First Day Cover, First Day of Issue, invitation to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Gordon Cooper's Mercury launch program, an evening with the Mercury Astronauts, a pamphlet related to the 40th Anniversary Reunion Flight of Gordon Cooper, various decals from Conair Astronautics, General Dynamics, and McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. Series also includes objects such as umbilical cable, a metal strip from the Atlas 109D, a rusted steel cleat from the Gantry transfer table rail, stainless steel pins from the Mercury capsule, and one container resembling a Mercury Space Capsule. A VHS tape called "Thrust into Space" by Karen Ulibarri and Bill Larson , an audio CD by Bill Dana called "Bill Dana as Jose Jimenez: Greatest Bits", various images taken at the 40th Anniversary L. Gordon Cooper Faith 7 event also part of the collection.
Dates
- created: 1960-2003
Creator
- Walters, Lori C. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The entire collection will be open to researchers on July 21, 2038 at noon.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Biographical or Historical Information
Mercury Time Capsule was unveiled during the Mercury worker union at Launch Complex 14 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Gordon Cooper's May 15, 1963 flight during the closing of Project Mercury. Project Mercury veterans shared their memory by writing a few inner reflections of Project Mercury and sealed them in a provided envelope. The idea of a reflection being sealed for thirty-five years may provide the incentive to share that memory with future researchers. Participants either attended the official sealing ceremony on July 21, 2003, the 42nd anniversary of Gus Grissom's launch, at the Space Walk of fame Museum (Miracle City Mall) in Titusville or mailed their envelopes for later inclusion.
In addition to the Project Mercury worker memories envelopes, collection also includes the Florida Space Coast History Project artifacts placed in separate archival boxes that will be opened in 2038. The artifacts all pertain to Project Mercury most are contemporary to Project Mercury with a few items representing the year of the time capsules closure. The artifacts range from actual Mercury hardware to a copy of John Glenn's hometown newspaper chronicling his 1962 flight. Upon the time capsules opening, the materials will be placed on exhibit at the John C. Hitt Library, University of Central Florida.
Extent
4 Linear Feet (4 Boxes, 1 Flat File)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Mercury Time Capsule was unveiled during the Mercury worker union at Launch Complex 14 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Gordon Cooper's May 15, 1963 flight during the closing of Project Mercury. Project Mercury veterans shared their memory by writing a few inner reflections of Project Mercury and sealed them in a provided envelope which are scheduled to be opened on July 21, 2038 at noon. The contents of the envelopes cannot be viewed until that time. Collection also includes the Florida Space Coast History Project gathered artifacts all pertain to Project Mercury which are provided for display purposes once the capsule is opened.
Method of Acquisition
Lori C. Walters deposited these materials to the University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives in September 11, 2003 (CFM2016_10).
Processing Information
Processed by Suphi Burak Ogreten; finding aid prepared by Suphi Burak Ogreten The envelopes were removed from the Mercury Space Capsule and sorted out by the participants last name in A to Z order, and then placed each envelope in an acid free folder. Mercury Space Capsule is housed in an acid free oversize box packed with tissue papers. Florida Space Coast History Project artifacts: flat items are housed in an acid free legal size folders and objects are placed in trays for safe storage. Newspapers are individually wrapped with tissue papers and placed in large flat file located in drawer number 39 in Special Collections and University Archives Department.
Subject
- Cooper, Gordon, 1927-2004 (Person)
- Glenn, John (John Herschel), 1921-2016 (Person)
- Project Mercury (U.S.) (Organization)
- United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Organization)
- Title
- Share Your Mercury Memories Time Capsule Collection
- Author
- Suphi Burak Ogreten
- Date
- 09/29/2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the UCF Special Collections Repository
Special Collections & University Archives
University of Central Florida Libraries
P.O. Box 162666
Orlando Florida 32816-2666 US
(407) 823-2576
speccoll@ucf.edu