The early 1930s was the height of the Indiana Jones phase of Connecticut archaeology. Across the state, collectors of Indian relics vied with each other to get the best and most exotic artifacts, either through discovery or purchase. It was in this environment on April 28,1934, that four of the state's principal avocational collectors and a member of the Yale faculty in anthropology met with Dr. Cornelius Osgood, another Yale Professor of anthropology, at the Peabody Museum in New Haven to form the Archaeological Society of Connecticut (ASC). The primary goal of the new society was to foster cooperation between collectors and professional archaeologists in order to improve the quality of archaeology in Connecticut. A subsidiary goal was to promote the recording of archaeological finds and encourage the scientific study of artifacts, features, and sites, thereby promoting the spread of archaeological knowledge.

In order to realize these goals, an important part of the organization was dedicated to publishing the discoveries and research of its members. In January of 1935 the first issue of the Bulletin appeared, and it has continued as a yearly publication of the ASC down to the present. Its principal purpose has always been to serve as a repository for information on the prehistory of Connecticut and the immediate surrounding areas. This information included papers on ethnohistory, ethnography, site reports, research reports comparing artifacts and also sites, reports on unusual artifacts and features, and an occasional book review. Interestingly, historical archaeology did not appear as a concern of the ASC until the past couple of decades.

In the early years, the Bulletin was often published twice a year. By 1939, however, it was decided that the Bulletin would be published less frequently and in the interim, the ASC would publish a newsletter dedicated to the latest news of members' field work, notices of coming events, chapter news, and book reviews. This publication was initially bimonthly, although for a number of years in the early 1940s the number fell to five issues a year. In more recent times, it has tended to appear three or four times a year, usually coinciding with the annual meeting or other special events.

Both of these publications were initially edited and nurtured by Dr. Irving Rouse. Dr. Rouse became a professional archaeologist on the Yale faculty after studying under Dr. Osgood, and he also became one of the guiding lights in the formation of the ASC. It was his influence, to a large degree, that moved members from their love of the artifacts, to a desire for information; what the artifacts in context could tell about life in prehistoric Connecticut. Dr. Rouse remained active in the ASC through the 1960s until he retired from active teaching, but he still remained vitally concerned with the ASC up to his death in 2006.

The membership of the ASC at its inception numbered less than a dozen men, but by the end of the first year that number had grown to more than 50, and by 1937 it had risen to over 100. Many of these members were grouped in urban areas of New Haven and Hartford which created the opportunity for them to meet more frequently than the fall and spring meetings of the ASC. This gave rise to the New Haven Chapter of the ASC in 1940 and the Hartford Chapter a year later.

Chapters consisted of ASC members who banded together to pursue field work locally. They generally met once a month to exchange ideas, discoveries, and listen to an occasional speaker from outside of their areas address various aspects of the subject they loved. Most importantly, they offered an opportunity to organize local field work that gave its members excavation experience and showed collectors the benefits of systematic retrieval of artifacts and recording of their locations and relationships with associated features.

In the early years of the ASC, the membership was primarily avocational. It was a passionate hobby, but few made their living at archaeology. By the early 1970s, that had begun to change. With a rising membership, and an increasing interest in archaeology by the general public, came a demand for archaeology courses. It also created a passion for the subject that would lead several ASC members to pursue advanced degrees in archaeology and to become professionals. Beginning in 1972, with the election as president of Fred Warner, a professor at Central Connecticut State College, the ASC began a 12-year period of leadership by professional archaeologists as presidents.

Another major change during this period resulted from a radical rise in membership. The Wappinger Chapter was formed in 1970 under the dynamic leadership of Edmond Swagart. His long term efforts would result in the American Indian Archaeological Institute (now the Institute for American Indian Studies) in Washington, CT. In the short term, he created a dramatic rise in membership, which reached 675 in 1977. Chapter members were also expected to be members of the ASC, but this had created local discontent in the Washington area since some members of the chapter wanted to only be members of the chapter and not the ASC. After years of argument among Board members, they finally decided to eliminate the chapters in late 1977 and create "Affiliated Organizations" in which one could become a member without joining the ASC. This has had a long term negative effect on its size and strength, and by the time of its 50th anniversary in 1984, the membership had dropped to 200.

One of the ASC's major accomplishments, on the other hand, was the creation of a State Archaeologist. In early 1962, after several years of lobbying by ASC President Donald C. Clarke and Vice-President Rouse, the state created the position of State Archaeologist, but it was unpaid and largely ceremonial, as the State Archaeologist was also expected to be a full-time professor on the UConn faculty. From its start until 1989, Dr. Douglas Jordan occupied this position.

The 1996 election of officers put Dan Cruson into the position of president. The past decade has been years of rebuilding, both of our finances and manpower. We are looking for new members. We are especially looking for members who are willing to become active in working for and promoting the ASC. With the creation of the New Archaeology Center at UConn, we are exploring the possibility of setting up a permanent home and address. The ASC will continue to meet at different venues around the state for the convenience of the membership, but we are looking for one place where correspondence, records, and back issues of our publications may be kept and remain accessible. Above all else, the ASC has rededicated itself to the collection and dissemination of archaeological information and to fostering cooperation among avocational and professional archaeologists in order to make the history and prehistory of Connecticut better understood by all.