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Who We Are
 The Society
for Industrial Archeology (SIA) was formed in 1971 to promote
the study, appreciation, and preservation of the physical survivals
of our industrial and technological past.
The word "archeology" underscores the society's principal concern
with the physical evidence of industry and technology-the study,
interpretation, and preservation of historically significant
sites, structures, buildings, artifacts, industrial processes, bridges,
railroads, canals, landscapes, and communities.
The SIA is a nonprofit, international, interdisciplinary organization
that brings together people of varied backgrounds who share a common interest
in the archeology of industry, engineering, and technology in general.
Our diverse membership is our greatest asset. It includes architects, archeologists,
engineers, industrialists, museum specialists, planners, historians, preservationists,
teachers, students, retirees, and many non-professionals for whom industrial
archeology is an exciting avocation.
 What We Do
With headquarters at the Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Technological
University in Houghton, Michigan, the SIA is the North American forum
for those who share an interest in industrial archeology. Through the organization's
four principal activities-an annual spring conference, an annual fall
tour,
semiannual journal, and quarterly newsletter-SIA members share their
knowledge and raise awareness of the value of preserving the physical evidence
of
industry and technology.
The society's annual conferences and fall tours are held in various cities
and areas of the United States and Canada having a significant legacy
of industrial activity. Both activities feature field trips to industrial
and engineering sites of interest, including "process tours" of
still-active plants not normally open to the public.
In addition to our regular programs and activities, the SIA makes annual
awards for distinguished contributions to the field and sponsors occasional
special study tours. Past destinations have included the English Midlands,
Sweden, Germany, Scotland, the Yukon, China, and the Panama Canal. Local
SIA chapters also offer programs and publications of regional interest.
SIA Membership
Membership is open to individuals, institutions, and corporations-anyone
having an interest in the study and preservation of the industrial and
technological past. Benefits of membership include:
- The quarterly Society for Industrial Archeology Newsletter, containing
current news and announcements, listings of recent publications of
interest, and a calendar of activities.
- IA, The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology published
twice yearly. IA is the principal forum for the publication of current
research in industrial archeology. Each issue of this peer-reviewed
journal contains scholarly articles, essays, and reviews.
- Notification by mail of upcoming conferences and tours.
- Discounts on conference and tour registration fees and SIA publications.
- The SIA membership directory (issued periodically).
- Access to a network of informed colleagues and the opportunity
to share your interests with others from around the world.
To learn more or to join, visit our Web site: http://www.sia-web.org/ or write to:
Society for Industrial Archeology
Department of Social Sciences
Michigan Technological Univesity
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295
E-mail: sia@mtu.edu
Tel.: 906-487-1889
Fax: 906-487-2468
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