EHAS was established on 17 October, 1898, when antiquarians Robert Thornton Andrews and JL Glasscock proposed forming a society concerned with “primaeval history, the occupation and history of the Romans in East Herts, the architecture of not only churches but of other buildings, monumental brasses, genealogy, the fonts in churches, field names, folklore and other matters.”
The East Herts Archaeological Society concerns itself with the entire north-eastern half of the county, including (according to the early Society Rules) “the Hundreds of Braughing, Edwinstree, Hertford, Hitchin, and Odsey, parts of the Hundred of Cashio lying within the before-named Hundreds, and the north portion of the Hundred of Broadwater north of a line between the west point of Tewin and the east point of Ayot St Peter.” In today’s terms, this broadly corresponds with the areas covered by the North Herts and East Herts District Councils, plus the Borough Councils of Stevenage, Broxbourne and parts of Welwyn Hatfield.
Over the years, the society has included a number of talented archaeologists and historians amongst its membership, including Gordon Moodey, Adrian Gibson, and Clive Partridge.
EHAS activities include:
- Giving our members opportunities to take part in archaeological excavations and geophysical surveys where volunteers are welcome.
- Regular lectures via Zoom. EHAS is a founding member of the Combined Hertfordshire Archaeological Societies (CHAS), set up during the Covid pandemic to run a regular online series of winter lectures with experts presenting illustrated talks on archaeology, local buildings and other historical topics.
- An annual President’s Walk – an opportunity to explore the history of different parts of the region in greater depth.
- Inspiring the next generation of archaeologists by running occasional ‘mini-digs’ for young children, providing a sandpit filled with genuine bits of archaeology, as well as small toys, for them to ‘excavate’.
- Alerting members to news of events in the wider region provided by the Council for British Archaeology East.
New members are always welcome. To join, see the Membership page or email us using our contact form.
EHAS is a member of the Council For British Archaeology, The British Association for Local History, and the Hertfordshire Association for Local History.
