The Society was founded in 1857 and is now a registered charity with
the following objects:
To promote the study and publication of archaeology and history
in all their branches, especially within the ancient county of Kent.
Much of the County has been lost to London since 1857 so the "ancient county"
is treated as including the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich
and Lewisham, as well as Medway and the administrative county.
The Society's interests are not confined to fieldwork. Its objects cover
archaeology and local history in the widest sense. They include historic
buildings, genealogy, industrial archaeology and local history though it
is not always active in all these fields.
The Society has over 1,500 members, many outside the County or overseas,
and welcomes new members who support its objects.
The main activities of the Society are:
Fieldwork: Much excavation in the County is carried out by
professional contractors, but the Society wishes to encourage local groups
to remain active. It makes grants and organises lectures and training.
In particular, it organises training excavations. See below for publications.
Historic buildings: The Society and the C. P. R. E. have
a joint Kent Historic Buildings Committee which is the local agent of the
C. B. A. for considering applications for listed building consent. The
committee also organises an annual Building Recorders' Conference. The
Society's Churches Committee promotes the study of churches.
Publications: The annual journal Archaeologia Cantiana
is free to members. It contains about 300 pages of papers about most aspects
of the County's history and archaeology, with many illustrations and tables.
Members also receive a Newsletter four times a year. Records are
published in occasional volumes as well as by a regular part-work. Excavation
reports and other subjects are also published. All publications maintain
a high academic standard and, except the Newsletter and part-works,
most are hard-backed.
Education: A committee promotes the study of archaeology
in schools and the interest of young people in the subject. Currently most
of this work is being done in conjunction with the Canterbury Archaeological
Trust's education service, but it is also looking at projects in other
parts of the County.
Library: The Society has a room at Maidstone Museum (for a map
showing its location click
here) housing
its extensive library which members may use for their studies. For more
information, click here. It has a
collection of journals from other counties and a large collection of old
photographs and pictures. It is only for the use of members, but special
arrangements can sometimes be made for non members to visit it. Apart from
enquires from members about the availablity and location of material, no
research or enquiry service is provided. The Society's archive material
is deposited in the Kent County Council archive service where it is available
for public inspection.
Lectures, conferences & excursions: A series of lectures is provided
from Autumn to Spring in various parts of the County (see Diary
of Events) and annual fieldwork and building recorders' conferences.
Other lectures and conferences are organised from time to time. There is a
programme of excursions in the Summer.
Grants: Most of the Society's funds are committed to its
own projects. Apart from special grants, it has the following grant programmes:
Fieldwork grants: These are made in about December and the amounts
are usually under £500. Applications have to be made on a form obtainable
from the Hon. General Secretary and
must be submitted by the end of October.
Allen Grove Local History Fund: This is a special fund established
by the will of the late Allen Grove which is administered by the Society.
It makes grants for projects which promote research, preservation
and/or enjoyment of local history which may be made to individuals or groups.
The grants are usually about £200 to £400 each. Applications
must be received by the Hon. General Secretary
by 31 March on a form which he supplies. You can download a form in pdf format
(115 kb) if you click here. It can be filled in on screen (you can
download it first), printed and posted to the Hon. General Secretary.
Kent History Fund:
makes grants to assist serious research leading to publication. Applications may
be made by members of this society, local history societies affiliated to this
society or to the Kent History Federation (KHF), and from individuals who are
members of either. Professional historians or post graduate students are not
eligible. Applications should be made to the secretary of the Publications
Committee on a form she will provide.
Activities for members: Members have opportunities to
meet for study and socially. There is a series of lectures in the winter/spring,
occasional day or half day conferences, excursions and social events. See
the Diary of Events.