The Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) was established in Great Britain in 1973 to promote the study of
industrial archaeology
Industrial archaeology (IA) is the systematic study of material evidence associated with the industrial past. This evidence, collectively referred to as industrial heritage, includes buildings, machinery, artifacts, sites, infrastructure, doc ...
and to encourage improved standards of recording, research, conservation and publication. It aims to support individuals and groups involved in those objectives and to represent the interests of industrial archaeology at a national level. It is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.
Governance
Overall administration is carried out by an elected Council of Management, whilst day-to-day operations are overseen by the officers of the association.
The association's president is
Marilyn Palmer
Marilyn Palmer, ( Allum; born 30 April 1943) is a British historian, archaeologist and academic, who specialises in landscape history and industrial archaeology. Having been a school teacher, she moved into academia and taught at Loughborough Co ...
,
Professor Emeritus of Industrial Archaeology, University of Leicester.
David Perrett was elected as chairman in October 2020.
Activities
Through its council, the association has contacts with both traditional archaeology and with those statutory organisations responsible for recording, preserving and funding Britain's historic monuments. The council also has contacts with the International Committee for the Conservation Of Industrial Heritage (TICCIH) and, at the European level, the European Federation of Associations of Industrial and Technical Heritage (E-faith).
Since its foundation the association has gathered at an annual conference held at various places throughout the UK and Ireland. Each conference occupies a weekend but is followed by several days of visits and lectures. Additionally, the association organizes a spring weekend conference open to both members and non-members.
An important function of the association is to represent the interests of industrial archaeology in the planning process. The AIA is not a
statutory consultee itself, and the association's role in the process is carried out by its Endangered Sites Officer via the
Council for British Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is an educational charity established in 1944 in the UK. It works to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and futu ...
(CBA).
The AIA has made Restoration Grants for a number of projects, such as:
*Mellor Archaeological Trust for the restoration of the Wellington wheel pit;
*
The Waterways Trust
The Waterways Trust was an independent registered charity, established in 1999, that worked with partners to see the waterway network in England, Wales and Scotland supported, valued and enjoyed by a wide audience. The Trust was formerly register ...
for the restoration of Box Boat 337;
*The South Yorkshire Trades Historical Trust for their work on
Hoylandswaine
Hoylandswaine is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England.
Located near Penistone and west of the M1 along the A628 it enjoys easy access to more significant locales such as Sheffield, Barnsley, and Leeds.
...
Nail Forge.
The AIA also provides an opportunity for taking part in escorted overseas visits that explore engineering history and industrial archaeology.
Publications
''Industrial Archaeology Review'', a bi-annual peer-reviewed journal, is sent to all members whilst a quarterly newsletter, the ''Industrial Archaeology News'', contains shorter articles, reviews and a calendar of events. Additional occasional publications include regional gazetteers for areas where annual conferences take place.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom
Archaeological organizations
Industrial archaeology
Architecture organisations based in the United Kingdom