Management Plan

The management plan of the Maple Leaf Project will focus on three areas; site protection and management, archaeological investigation and artifact conservation, and the dissemination of findings to public and professional audiences. As the following outline shows, the goals of the plan overlap and complement each other. The establishment of the non-profit Maple Leaf Foundation is the most important short term goal. The institution will be able to organize and put in motion the measures necessary to reach other critical goals.

I. Site protection and management
    A. Establish the non-profit Maple Leaf Foundation to manage, preserve and protect the Maple Leaf site.
        1. Promote and encourage research on the Maple Leaf and related topics.
        2. Coordinate with State and Federal agencies on matters of site management, protection, artifact conservation, and field research.
        3. Administer the collections of artifacts, records, and documents for scholarly research.
        4. Provide for exhibitions, displays, lectures, and publications to stimulate public education on the Maple Leaf and historic preservation.
        5. Nominate the Maple Leaf as a National Historic Landmark.


II. Scientific archaeological investigation and artifact conservation.
    A. Develop a three year research design that will act as a baseline survey to guide future work.
        1. Map and document the hull and conduct a test excavation in the forward hold to identify the distribution and condition of the cargo. Previous investigations have already been completed in the stern cargo hold.
        2. Each field season will have annual objectives and a budget that will include field work and a complete report.
    B. Following the completion of the survey, future archaeological excavations must address specific research questions concerning the vessel or cargo.
    C. A conservation facility will be established and prepared to handle all material recovered during archaeological investigations.
        1. No artifacts will be recovered without prior consideration to their proper treatment and storage.
    D. Publish the findings in professional journals and reports.

III. Enhance public education and awareness of the Maple Leaf.
    A. Develop permanent and traveling interpretive exhibits.
    B. Present public forums and lectures to discuss the significance of the Maple Leaf and importance of historic preservation.
    C. Disseminate research finding to the general public and professional community through reports, publications and various other media sources.