Celebrating 175 years
Founded on June 18, 1846, we are now an amazing 175 years old.
Covid -19 has hit many charities and heritage organisations hard and sadly, The Sussex Archaeological Society is no exception. Our income has taken a huge hit and we need your support more than ever as we do all we can to navigate the pandemic while protecting the archaeology, our heritage and everything that makes the Society special.
Our 175 Year campaign was launched on our 174th anniversary and thanks to the generosity of so many we have reached the halfway point.. Help us take it to the £1m target as we use the next 12 months to celebrate this important milestone.
We can only do this with your help.
Our patron, author and historian Tom Holland, said when launching our campaign :
“How wonderful it is that in a county as rich in history as Sussex even the archaeological society – an absolute model of how to preserve and cherish the legacy of the past – should be 175 years old next June. Now is the perfect opportunity to help it flourish for at least another 175 years.”
At 175 years old, we are the oldest county archaeological society in the country. Our founding members got together following the discovery in Lewes of the tombs of Norman knight William de Warenne and his wife Gundrada.
As well as archaeological research, we now care for buildings and museums across East and West Sussex, including Britain’s largest Roman residence and an 11th-century Norman fortification.
We also look after significant archaeological and historical collections ‒ you may have visited the award-winning Collections Discovery Centre at Fishbourne Roman Palace ‒ and are proud to be recognised across the two counties as a champion of the area’s cultural heritage.
A spokesperson for the South Downs National Park Authority said:
“As a National Park, we value The Sussex Archaeological Society for its contribution to the visitor economy of the park and the wider county. Through its 175 year history, the society has shown a commitment to supporting and delivering research, and engaging and inspiring the public with the archaeological and social history of Sussex, and we hope, despite the devastating impact of Covid-19 on creative, cultural and tourism sectors, that The Sussex Archaeological Society will thrive for a further 175 years.”
Please support the heritage of Sussex today by:
Donating here.
Tweeting your support with #SussexSociety175.
Attending one of the Celebrating 175 events at our properties, or
Becoming a Member
Media enquiries: please contact our Press Officer or view our press release.