Maryland Trust Seeks Underwater Archaeologist, Announces Preservation Funding | The Locally Times
The new position accompanies the opening of a capital grant program and the announcement of $5 million for African American heritage projects, based on a March 19 agency notice.
The Maryland Historical Trust is expanding its preservation efforts with the hiring of a new underwater archaeologist and the launch of two major grant programs, according to a series of agency notices from March 19, 2026. The initiatives aim to protect artifacts and sites on land and beneath the state's extensive waterways. ## New Archaeologist to Oversee Underwater Heritage A job posting from the Trust confirms the agency is recruiting an Assistant State Underwater Archaeologist. The creation of this role formalizes a commitment to the state's maritime history, which includes shipwrecks, submerged colonial-era structures, and other cultural resources in the Chesapeake Bay. The position is designed to bring specialized expertise to the identification and protection of these often-inaccessible sites. As The Locally Times reported on March 19, initial records did not specify the position's project scope. The current job posting likewise does not detail the specific projects, required qualifications, salary range, or funding source for the role. ## Major Funding for State and African American Heritage The search for an archaeologist coincides with two funding announcements from the Trust. A March 19 press release confirms the allocation of $5 million for the African American Heritage Preservation Program and states that the FY2026 awardees have been announced. A list of the recipients, however, is not included in the notice. In a separate announcement, the Trust opened its FY26 Historic Preservation Capital Grant Round for applications. This program provides state funds for construction, restoration, and rehabilitation projects at historical sites across Maryland. The simultaneous initiatives may allow for new underwater projects to eventually seek capital funding. ## Board Action and Training Point to Broader Strategy The Trust's recent activities also include governance and professional development. A public notice confirms the MHT Board of Trustees convened for a meeting on March 19, the same day the job posting and grant programs were publicized. Records of the meeting's discussions or decisions are not yet available. Furthering its educational mission, the Trust also announced an Architectural Fieldwork Symposium scheduled for March 26, 2026. The event will provide a forum for professionals and community members to share knowledge on documenting historical structures. These concurrent actions in hiring, funding, and training suggest a coordinated strategy to build the state's capacity for historical preservation.