Assessment of Potential Archaeological Collections Facility Sites at Edwards Air Force Base

In order to comply with 36 CFR Part 79, Curation and Management of Federally-Owned and Administered Archeological Collections, Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) archaeological materials must be properly housed in a facility capable of providing for their long-term care. The present base repository, however, does not meet the requirements in 36 CFR Part 79. Therefore, Edwards AFB personnel requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District, to assist them in determining an appropriate plan of action to correct this problem. On June 15, 1994, architects and archaeologists from the St. Louis District evaluated the feasibility of one existing structure on Edwards AFB to serve as a curation facility. Six sites also were assessed as potential curation-facility construction sites. The existing building was determined to be inappropriate for a curation facility, but three of the six sites would provide good locations for a facility. Finally, St. Louis District architects prepared preliminary drawings, including cost estimates, for a curation facility on Edwards AFB.