History of the Society

A BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY
OF STATEN ISLAND

The Archaeology Society of Staten Island (Society) was formed from a nucleus of students who wished to continue their study of archaeology under the aegis of Dr. George G. Hackman, Professor of Archaeology and Religion at Wagner College, in 1962. Dr. Hackman was a renowned Sumerologist from Yale University – an expert in the cuneiform writing of the Sumerian civilization of the ancient Near East. His illustrated lectures, keen sense of humor, warmth and love of teaching captivated his students.

One of his former students, Jacques N. Jacobsen, Jr., was the founder, who for over 30 years, first as president and then as chairman of the Board of Trustees, nurtured and grew the Society. While Dr. Hackman was the inspiration, Mr. Jacobsen, a Columbia University doctoral candidate in the Ancient Near Eastern department, brought his vision to fruition. His scholarship, salesmanship, wit, humor, business savvy and local connections brought renowned lecturers to the Wagner College campus and to the local community during our formative years. He was instrumental in introducing archaeological tours to raise funds for the activities while simultaneously growing the Society.

The Society became affiliated with the Archaeological Institute of America as the AIA, Staten Island Society in 1965 and was granted a charter of incorporation as a non-profit educational institution by the State of New York in 1966, giving Society members access to world renowned archaeologists. The Society is a Not-for-Profit Corporation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS).

During the 1960’s, the Society established a long standing relationship with the archaeologist Theresa Goell who became an Honorary Life member. The Society co-sponsored her excavations at Nemrud Dagh (Samosata) in Turkey with the National Geographic Society. She rewarded the Society’s largess with an annual lecture until her death. Other scholars donated their time becoming trustees of the Society.

Other scholars donated their time becoming trustees of the Society. These included Dr. Herbert Kraft (preeminent authority on the Delaware Indians), Dr. Esther Grushkin (specialist in Hebrew and Judaic Studies), Dr. Pauline Albenda (scholar of Assyrian art reliefs) and Walter Buchholz (authority in Paleolithic rock art).

The Society attracted an eclectic membership including benefactors who donated generously when asked. This enabled the initiation of publications such as “Archaeological Reports” and the establishment of a Museum of Archaeology at Staten Island, in 1976. Various school groups visited the collection located in the top floor of the Wagner College’s Main Hall. The permanent collection included objects from the Near Eastern, Greco-Roman, Medieval and Mesoamerican cultures, purchased or donated by benefactors including Helen Loeffler and John J. Rockefeller. Loan objects from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other art institutions were on display for special exhibits. In addition, adult classes, taught by the curators, were set up with accreditation from the NYC Board of Education. A South Shore archaeological survey was conducted in Staten Island, under the aegis of the Museum, for the U. S. Corps of Engineers, in 1976. The museum served the Staten Island community as a resource center devoted to the material arts of antiquity until its closing in 1982, a victim of the NYC financial crisis. The value obtained from its objects auctioned at Sotheby’s was placed in a Trust to fund the monthly lectures and other activities of the Society. Some larger objects were donated to Wagner College and the Staten Island Museum.

With the help of dedicated Trustees and members of the Society, we envision continuing our mission to educate, excavate and advocate for archaeology. We dig it!