NCPTT strives to develop and distribute skills and technologies that enhance the preservation, conservation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic resources throughout the United States.
NCPTT conducts in-depth research about current preservation issues at its laboratories in the historic Lee H. Nelson Hall in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Center's research including research developed across the country through our grants program is available at no cost to our users.
Many of America's most treasured cultural resources have benefited from NCPTT's research, including the Statue of Liberty, Congressional Cemetery and a number of National Parks.
Research Priorities
The following research priorities are designed to focus NCPTT's grants program, research, and training:
- conserve cultural resources of the "recent past,"
- monitor and evaluate preservation treatments,
- investigate minimally invasive techniques to inventory and assess cultural resources
- protect cultural resources against natural and human threats,
- preserve cemeteries and places of worship, and
- safeguard resources from effects of pollution and climate,