Cultural Resources Management

Archaeology Lab, Room 3, Bldg. 1360, Lighthouse Road, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Cultural Resources Program Manager: Thomas Penders

The SLD 45’s Cultural Resources Program’s mission is to identify, protect and manage the 122 ancestral places and historic era archaeological sites dating from 6500 years ago to the 1950s as well as historic properties dating from 1849 to the 1970s that are potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; as well as the Man in Space National Historic Landmark District consisting of Launch Complexes 14, 19, 26 and 34. These resources occur on SLD 45’s lands including CCSFS, PSFB, MTA, and JDMTA. To meet that goal, we have formed an informal partnership with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida which we call the Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project. We have active archaeological surveys and site evaluations occurring through the year 2035. In addition, we have High Definition 3-D Laser scanning and LiDAR projects documenting historic facilities, launch complexes, and cemeteries by the Center for Digital Heritage and Geospatial Information (CDHGI) in the University of South Florida Libraries (see LC-14 below). Furthermore, the Cultural Resources Program fulfills its stewardship responsibilities by coordinating consultation between SLD 45’s lands and federally recognized tribes that have ancestral ties to SLD 45’s properties.

Archaeological sites access is off limits to non-authorized personnel. However, the Cultural Resources Program participates in outreach events in order to share the cultural heritage with airmen, families and civilians of all ages. The team’s goal is to share our cultural resources, protecting the past, and supporting the military mission. If you find something that may old, or appears it could be an artifact, on the bases please contact our office.

https://dhhc.lib.usf.edu/project/cape-canaveral/