Organization
About the ASV
in Botetourt County, Virginia.
The Archeological Society of Virginia (ASV) was founded in 1940. It is one of the oldest state societies in the country. The ASV has published a Quarterly Bulletin since its inception. Over the years, the Quarterly Bulletin has published Ben C. McCary's fluted point survey, the first of its type in the country; the seminal articles on pipe stem–bore dating analysis by J. C. Harrington and on Colonoware by Ivor Noel Hume; an article by Lewis Binford on Native American colonial pottery; as well as works by several hundred other authors. The Quarterly Bulletin is the flagship publication of the ASV.
The ASV is a member of the Society for American Archaeology, the Virginia Association of Museums, the Eastern States Archaeological Federation, and the Preservation Alliance of Virginia.
Through the generosity of life member Bill Cropper, ASV was given Kittiewan Plantation in Charles City County. The plantation has some of the finest interior wood paneling in the region. It was the home of the first surgeon general of the United States. Kittiewan today is a working farm with a new museum built by Mr. Cropper. It is our headquarters and base of operations. Click here to visit the Kittiewan website.
Volunteers from the ASV have been the backbone of research and salvage in the Commonwealth for more than fifty years. Members of the society have participated in or initiated research on hundreds of excavations during the past half century.
Members of the ASV come from all walks of life. Many of our members had little or no formal training in the science and art of archeology before they got involved with a local chapter of the society. Although the society boasts a large number of professional archeologists, the majority of the society's most active members, including most of our board members and elected officers, are amateur archeologists. Herein the title of archeologist is used to describe anyone who participates in archeological survey, excavation, analysis, or discourse in order to increase their own knowledge, to further knowledge of archeology in general, or for the sheer love of doing archeology. Amateur archeologists participate in archeological projects for a wide variety of reasons. The term "volunteer archeologist" is sometimes used to describe professional archeologists who spend their personal time participating in projects. Anyone with an interest in archeology, history, or old things is invited to join the society. No prior knowledge, skills, or aptitudes are required, although an enjoyment of the outdoors is recommended. We also freely interchange the spellings of archaeology and archeology, according to the preferences of our contributing authors.
The society is a strictly volunteer organization. None of the officers, board members, or support staff are paid for the time they contribute. The money that the society brings in from dues, book sales, contributions, etc., is used to publish the Quarterly Bulletin, the ASV Newsletter,the ASV and Kittiewan Facebook Pages,, and the Special Publications series. We support field projects, procure additional volumes for sale, and support the minimal infrastructure of the society as well.
Artifacts are never sold or purchased in the name of the society.
The society seeks to promote the knowledge of archeology through public education.
The ASV is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax qualified organization. Donations to the ASV are fully tax deductible to the extent permitted by the tax code.
The ASV Constitution & By-laws includes more information about the objectives, aims, and goals of the society. Please read the entire constitution if you are interested in more details.