HISTORY OF THE CIA CORNERSTONE BOX

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00499R000100090084-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 24, 2006
• Sequence Number: 84
• Publication Date: November 18, 1960
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Ue6eis2i039/i3Oirtr: iliEDP84-00499R000100090084-5 b bs 6 ?
18 November 1960
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director/Support
SUBJECT : History of the C/A Cornerstone Box
Following the symbolic placing of the Cornerstone Box at the
laying of the CIA Cornerstone by the Precident of the United States,
Dvight D. Eisenhower, on 3 November 199, the box was removed from
its nitch and taken into custody until such time as the Cornerstone
was permanently emplaced. At that ?time, the Cornerstone Box contained
only that material which was listed in the program of the Ceremony,
aims the microfilm of the newspapers cif 3 November, the tape recording
of the Cornerstone Ceremony, and the photographs of that occasion.
2. Despite the Director's joking remark to the President (recorded
on the tape) that the contents of the 1ex were "secret", there were no
classified doeuments in the Cornerstone Box. Prior to the ceremony,
careful consideration had been given to the documents which were to he
included in the Box. After consultation with the Deputy Directors and
the Inspector General, Mr. Welter Pforeheimer, the Curator of the CIA
Historical Intelligence Collection, had drawn up a list of proposed
meterials for inclusion in the Box, subject to the approval of W. Dulles,
Xneluded on the list were a considerable number or Classified 4Wmements
largely in the field of National Estimates. It was finally determe
not to include any classified material in the Cornerstone Box at t
time of the Ceremony) and that the whole subject of classified co
should be held in abeyance until it could. be determined what de
of control the Security Office would have over the new Wilde
the box vas finally put into the Cornerstone. Late in Septem
the contractors advised that they were virtually at the point
they would deeire to lay the Cornerstone permanently. At tha
the contents of the Cornerstone Box were reconsidered, and the
nods a final determireetion that it Should contain no classifi
At the reqpest of the Office of the DDP, there was added to
of the Box those medals which are awarded for distinguished seiviee
in the field of intelligence, namely: the National Security Meda15
the Distiregulahed Iptelleatence Criose the Vistireguldhed'Intel4gence
the Intelligence Star, and the Intelligence Medal of Merit; together.
with a description of these medals anti the certificates which
accompaey them when awarded; and elate a copy of the Certificate ee
Merit with Distinction and the Certificate of Merit. The complete
list of the coutents of the Cornerseone Box is appended. as Tab A.
3. At this time, reconsideration WR3 also given to the proper
preservation of the contents of the Cornerstone Box and its ultimate
venling. There had been a general teeline that the copper box, furnished
te7the architect/3v US3 not of the desired standard. It was rather too
cnil fr the content", and its copper vas not /sufficiently Oeick eo
eithsteed the receassey welding of the too without seriousle ehae .ene
the ;tavern enclosed.. Oa the other band, It had to be of the eorreet
elan to fit into theriche provided :or it behind the Corner eono
eine. For these reascns, Ar. Be Ovens laxeee, Assistant Depuer Dieeetor/
eeeport? meee arrangesents1 tbrough the CM Technical Series Dielsion?
C. 0NFIDINT7 I, L
tvlOPVCDF Paqes 1-
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with the National Bureau of Standards to prepare a new copper box,
whose sides are about an eighth of an inch thick. The box has been
constructed fraa thirty pounds of copper. The magnetic tape recording
of the Cornerstone Ceremony and the formal opening of the contractors'
bids on the building has been placed in a steel box with a quarter inch
steel plate on top and bottom, and a 1/8 inch steel plate on the sides.
A description of the Cornerstone BOX and its preparation, written by
the Bureau of Standards, is attached herewith as Tab B.
4. On 20 October 1960, Nr. Lloyd and Mr. Pforzheimer, ace ed
by twcOmembers of the Technical Services Division staff, 25X1
25X1 I went to .the National Bureau o
and placed the material in the Cornerstone Box. ' The Box coveayad,,
then welded into place by Bureau of Standards employees.' This
process was under the sopervision of George A. Minger, Chief of
the Corrosion Section, tallurgy Division, National Bureau of
Standards, and Melvin Bomanoff of his staff. Pictures of the ceremony
were taken. The copper box was then buffed by Mr. Zieda, also a
Bureau employee. Irscribed on the top of the Box is an instruction
which reads as follows:
Tp
To Open:
Cut Carefully Near Top
Do Not Use Torch
5. On 2 November, Colonel L. K. White, Deputy Director/Support,
accompanied by Nr. Lloyd and Nr. Pforzheiner, inserted the Cornerstone
Box into its niteh, and. the Cornerstone was then lowered into place.
Many of the participants, 111111 Mr. James A. Garrison,
e an MA A.
Director of Logistics, Mt. , Chief of the Building 25X1
Planning Staff, end other . r s . f, as well as
representatives of the architects and contractors, threw lucky pennies
into the niteh with the Box. Photomsphs were taken.
Water Pfoiihei6er
Curator/Historical InteIligence
Collection ,
.0 ONFIDENTIAL
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CIA INTERNAL USE ONLY
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CONTENTS OF CORNFMSTONE BON
Copy of Memorandum for President Franklin D. Roosevelt from Mejor
General William J. Donovan, Director of the Office of Strategic Services,
dated. 18 November 1944, regarding the establishment of a permanent
centralized intellegence service and copy of Memorandum from President
Roosevelt to General II:move% dated 5 April 1945, directing that
General Donovan discuss his plan with the appropriate officials of the
Government.
Copy of President Harry S. Truman's Nzecutive Letter of 22 January
1946, establishing the Rational Intelligemememehority and the Central
Intelligence Group.
Statement of General (then Lieutenant General) Hoyt S. Vandenberg?
Director of Central Intelligence, before the Senate Committee on Armed
Services, on 29 April 1947, in support of the sections of the proposed
National Security Act of 1947 to establish the Central Intelligence
Ageney.
A, Text and Explanation of Statutes and Ezecutive Orders relating
specifically to the Central Intelligence Agency, including Enabling
and Appropriations Acts for the construction of the new CIA Building.
Reproduction of the CIA seal and its official description.
"William J. Donovan and the National Security." A speech by
Allen W. Dulles Director of Central Intelligence, to the Erie
County Dar Association, Buffalo, New York, 4 Rey 1959.
Aerial photographs of the area of the C/A Building site at the
time of the Cornerstone Ceremony.
Copy of the architect's drawing of the CIA Building as it will
appear when completed.
Invitation to the ceremony, copy of the Program, tape recording
of the proceedings, selected. photographs of the ceremony, and copy of
pamphlet entitled "The Cornerstone Ceremony," containing the speeches
made on the occasion.
Amicrofibs of Washington and northern Virginia and newspapers for
3 November 1959 (the date of the ceremony), and selected articles from
subsequent issues (4-6 November) concerning the ceremony.
The National Security Medal and the three CIA Medals, the
Distinguished Intelligence Crewe the Distinguished Intelligence *dal,
the Intelligence Star, and the Intelligence Medal of ',brit; together
with a description of these medals and. the certificates which accompany
them when awarded; and also a copy of the Certificate of Merit with
Distinction and the Certificate of Merit.
CIA INTERNAL USE ONLY
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Mathod of Construction of Metal Boxes
Used to Contain These Articles
The steel box which contains the magnetic tape was constructed
from Ain nueher 1020 steel. The plates for the sides, top and
bottom of the box and cover were cut to size and all edges ground.
The seams in the box and carer were joined by the electric are
veld method.
The outer container was fabricated from copper plates 'which
were Joined by Hallam melds (inert gas tungsten are method).
The container was lined with asbestos paper (dried at 1059C for
48 hours), the contents Inserted in the box and the lid was welded
in 'place. During the operation of sealing the lid, the container
was immersed in water up to one indh from the top in order to
reduce the temperature inside the box.
Prior to sealing the copper box, the same operations were
performed on a dummy box 'Which contained similer articles. Before
opening the box to examine the contents, it was totally immersed in
water to Cheek for leakage.
The box was made and sealed at the National Bureau of Standards.
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_bit-- 61-5976
TEEwrr EMSE
WASMNGTON
July 24, 1961
MEMCRANDUM F THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: CIA Occupancy of the New Building
in *Lean, Virginia
For your intonation there is enclosed a reconmenda-
t on on the subject as excerpted from the report rade
to the President on July 18, 1961 by the President's
Foreign Tatelligance Advisory Board.
Before the recommendation is presented to the Presi-
dent for final action, it would be appreciated if you
would submit your views and concrnts thereon.
It is requested that your views and comments be
provided to this office and to the President's Foreign
Zutelligence Advisory Board by August 21, 1961.
CC:
McGeorge Bundy
nt's Porei Intelligence
Board
entlon: Itc. 3. Patrick Coyne)
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SECRET
Olt lam 1101232
itaelisigton
"Me Saari recommends that action Moult be taken
et the earliest possible data to empure that the Central luta .genne
Awaits- plonos ror the oast/pansy of the nom beildind in MbLionn,
Virdinis U. feasible. 414 believe there are valid questions
that garb. raisoda about %Wit plans. In particular, there ore
questions shout movie' all of the clandestine activities inV, the
reacaseetters the* those plots be
red/meet eettinAstrativtly, end that a feasibility "study be sonde
se to the possibility of ivaastag all of the clandestine fUnctiGns,
cr same part thereof, in/moth/triples*. We believe it maybe
nownprint0 to bonne in tan new wilding 1001* of the non-clandestine
femetiame of the Cnntral Intelligence Agency shit* ere nos sChidaIed
tot* relocated to other holland, is, Wmabineton0"
,
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