The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the Mariners Museum $748,210 on January 1, 2027, under the Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access program (CFDA 45.149) to stabilize, catalog, and digitize maritime archaeological artifacts from the Siege of Yorktown in preparation for the battle's 250th anniversary in 2031.
The Mariners Museum, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, will execute the following deliverables: photograph, digitize, rehouse, and create catalog records for 216 artifacts (228 pieces) from the museum's collection acquired during the 1930s York River excavation; provide conservation treatment for 14 artifacts requiring immediate attention (6 from the museum and 8 from VDHR); assess, photograph, catalog, and rehouse 300 artifacts from the 1930s excavation held by the Department of Historic Resources; select and implement a new collections management system with a public-facing web interface; and establish an advisory board to provide curatorial support for objects undergoing treatment and cataloging.
Performance occurs in Virginia through December 31, 2029. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources serves as a sub-recipient, delivering assessment, cataloging, rehousing, and conservation treatment of its archaeological holdings from the Yorktown excavation.