The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), founded in 1879, is the oldest and largest international archaeological organization. It is a membership organization that provides public outreach, publications and archaeologically oriented activities to scholars, students and enthusiasts who simply want to learn more about the fascinating field that is Archaeology. Over 100 local societies in the U.S., Canada and Europe host lectures and other programs and serve as hubs for archaeological outreach within their communities. I’m proud to say that the Milwaukee Society, founded in 1968, is one of the most active.

Membership Information

If you are not already a member of AIA, please consider joining. Your membership in the international organization brings with it membership in your local society—the Milwaukee Society. Your membership dues help to support the activities of both the international organization and the Milwaukee Society and help us sponsor programs featuring both national and local experts who come to Milwaukee to speak directly to us about their field work and research, or who are available through AIA’s virtual platform to speak to the world—including Milwaukee—about their work. Membership dues also help the AIA support students and scholars in the field, the lab and the library and help the AIA advocate for preservation of sites and cultural heritage.

As a member you also receive benefits. Every member receives a subscription to AIA’s colorful, lively and informative Archaeology magazine and has the option of subscribing to the online or print version of AIA’s premier scholarly journal, The American Journal of Archaeology. Members also receive discounts for the AIA’s Annual Meeting, eligibility to present at the Annual Meeting and to apply for AIA’s scholarships and grants, $100 off your first AIA Tour, and other kinds of travel discounts. K-12 educators, active-duty military and students with appropriate ID receive a generous discount on membership dues. Most of all, you have the satisfaction of belonging to a vibrant archaeological community that is actively promoting knowledge of archaeology within the wider world.

The easiest way to join AIA is through their website: www.archaeological.org/join/.

There you will find further information about different levels of membership dues and the benefits of membership at each level. And when you do join, please pick the Milwaukee Society (society code 532) as your local affiliation. We look forward to welcoming you as a member!

Jane C. Waldbaum, Membership Coordinator