We are the country’s oldest provincial antiquarian society. In the two centuries since we were founded in 1813, we have encouraged a deeper understanding of the history and archaeology of North East England. You can find out about our history in our Bicentenary Book, 200 Years: the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne 1813-2013. There is also more information about the Society's very distinctive seal, with a picture of the original matrix, in our News Bulletin for December 2022
After having been an unincorporated association for over two centuries, we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) at the beginning of 2020. Our charity registration number is 1188638. We produce an Annual Report and Accounts, and submit yearly returns to the Charity Commissioners. Find out more about our Governance and constitution, see a full list of our officers and council members and read our Constitution document below.
Our library of over 30,000 books and journals is on the second floor of the Great North Museum: Hancock, and is open to the public. We own many of the exhibits on display in museums in the region, and our large archives are deposited at Northumberland Archives. Our Unlocking the Archives project, originally funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has made a number of documents accessible, through digitising and transcribing them.
We have approaching 800 members, and always welcome new ones. Membership of Newcastle Antiquaries is open to anybody with an interest in the history and archaeology of the North East. We are keen to encourage new people to join, and to increase the diversity of our membership. Use the button below to find out more about the benefits that membership offers and learn how to join.
Other activities
We are partners in the management of Newcastle Castle, and are signatories to the North East Statement Against Racism.