During the winter of 1967, six couples decided to make an effort to form the local society of the AIA on Long Island. They were Norman and Marion Burger, Walter and Cyril Frank, Rube and Norma Kershaw, David and Margerie Pasternak, Murry and Lee Seaman, and Jim and Louise Zuckerman..

The first meeting tool place in the meeting room of the Trade Bank and Trust Company at 9 Park place in Great Neck and the speaker was Professor Kennan Erim of NYU, who sopke of his dig in Aphrodesias; Leon Pomerance introduced him. After the presentation, over sixty people joined the society. Within 5 years we became the 5th largest society in the United States.

By 1968 our charter was formed and a decision was made to establish various study groups within the society: "Unraveling the Past", "The Fertile Crescent", "Agean", "Mesoamerica", and "Collector's Corner". Current study groups include: "Greco-Roman and Egyptian", "Near and Middle East", "Sources" and "Discovery".

The original speakers was like and "archaeology who's who"! It included Claire Eve Grandjuoan, Bernard V. Bothmer, Dorothy K. Sinquemaini, James L. Swarger, and Iris Love.

In May 1969, our society went to the University Museum in Philadelphia as our first trip. Since then we have had trips to Boston, Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C, which we consider to be local trips. Our first overseas trip was to China in January 1979. This was followed by trips to North Africa, India, Malta, and various other overseas countries.

From time to time, the archaeological activites for members have included many special events such as film festivals, archaeological fairs, and opportunities to see excavatons, artifacts and antique objects close up. These activities were open to the public and helped to develop an interest in our society. Our regular program includes scholarly lectures and very well attended study groups.

Through the years, we have expanded our membership and remained a growing entitty both with intellectual expansion and many varied activities. Expansion continues and there is no sign of stopping!