In the late 1970's it seemed apparent to scientists and conservators at the Canadian Conservation Institute and elsewhere that very little real progress had been made in the preceding years to understand the problems of treating corroded archaeological iron. We felt that because of our involvement with the excavation at Red Bay, Labrador, we had the expertise, an ideal situation, and a legitimate need to become involved in this field ourselves. In 1980, we began a program of research to address some of the problems we were faced with at that time. This paper provides an overview of how that program has been organized, and what is presently being investigated. Some of the projects briefly described are: 1) an evaluation of holding solutions and 2) de-oxygenated conditions for the long term storage of iron, 3) the characterization of iron artifacts from immediate post-excavation to post-treatment; and, 4) continuing work on the use of ethylenediamine in treating highly mineralized iron. The intention is not to report results, but to make others aware of what is being done, and to solicit their comment and input.