Since the creation of the Nautical Archaeology Program (NAP) in 1976, Texas A&M University (TAMU), through its affiliation with the non-profit Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA), has conducted excavations of many significant shipwrecks around the world. During this same period, the conservation laboratories based at TAMU have been responsible for major innovations in the field of archaeological conservation. In May 2005, the TAMU Board of Regents created the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation (CMAC) as the organizational umbrella for six laboratories that serve NAP faculty and students.

As a supporting partner of NAP, the mission of CMAC is to build on existing expertise in artifact conservation; to provide essential conservation services not available elsewhere; to maintain and expand the six laboratories under our control.