Abstract: For archaeological or historic preservation to occur, there must be public support for it. This research examines historic and archaeological preservation in the Tampa Bay area of Florida through the use of selected case studies. It analyses opinions about archaeology and preservation from members of the general public and members of two groups focused on historic preservation and archaeology. Data were collected from interviews, surveys, archival research, and participant observation, and analyzed to determine the public's definition of archaeology, possible origins of people's interest in preservation, and the extent to which people's interest in either archaeology or historic preservation extends to the other. This research also looks at the context in which the study population is living. I look at the attempts at preservation in the area and the competing influences on those attempts, as well as the laws that affect the sites. I use the findings to make suggestions for increasing people's support of archaeology and preservation.