The Society was founded in 1813 to promote enquiry into antiquities in general but those of the North of England in particular. Its archaeological collections are housed in the Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne and its social history collections are housed in one or other of the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums venues and at Beamish Open Air Museum. The Society has never actively sought works of art but over the years has acquired a varied collection. The small number of works on canvas or board are held at the Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne; the more extensive collection of topographical prints, sketches and watercolours are housed at Northumberland Archives, Woodhorn – see the Archives’s on-line catalogue for details (archives@northumberland.gov.uk).
Enquiries about any of these works should first be directed to the Honorary Keeper of Archaeology at admin@newcastleantiquaries.org.uk.