Who We Are
Ruth Siple at the Ceremonial South Pole, 1975. Photo by PH2 Jerry Jolin USN, courtesy of NSF. To see more, click HERE.
The Antarctican Society is, as its motto says, "by and for all Antarcticans." That includes those who have had the good fortune to visit Antarctica as well as anyone interested in any aspect of it. People have always been the focus of The Antarctican Society: explorers, scientists, support persons, travelers, and those fascinated by the continent and its history.
Our Board of Directors reflects the diverse backgrounds of our membership. To see the current Board and their biographies, CLICK HERE.
Mission
Our mission is to unite persons interested in Antarctica, to facilitate friendly exchanges of information, to encourage increased appreciation of the global importance of Antarctica, and to share enthusiasm for the southern continent.
Vision
Our vision is that Antarctica will remain a peaceful environment and an open international laboratory for all of the world’s scientists to make new discoveries and understand the impacts that human beings are having on our planet.
Brief History
The Antarctican Society was founded in 1960. Most early members were scientists who had been in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58, and wished to meet socially to continue the camaraderie they shared while in Antarctica. Initial meetings were centered in Washington DC, close to the National Science Foundation, Antarctic scientists, and political dignitaries. The Society sponsored frequent lectures on Antarctic subjects given by prominent Antarcticans. Eventually, regular newsletters were written for all members.
As the years passed, The Antarctican Society became a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization, moved its headquarters from Washington,D.C. to Virginia, to Maine, and is now settled in Vermont, but our members are from all over the U.S. and the world.
The Antarctican Society's membership has included such illustrious Antarcticans as Dr. Charles Swithinbank, perhaps the most experienced Antarctican ever; Dr. Laurence Gould and Dr. Paul Siple, both of whom served under Admiral Richard E. Byrd in the various Byrd Antarctic Expeditions; Ruth Siple whose heart and soul rested with the Antarctican Society from the mid-seventies until the millennium; explorer Lieutenant Henry Worsley; noted author Barry Lopez; and a host of other well-known researchers, explorers, artists and writers. The current membership includes veterans of the International Geophysical Year, Operation Deep Freeze, and stations such as McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott South Pole, Palmer, Siple, Byrd, Little America, Hallett, Eights, Plateau, Dome C, and more than a few international science bases. We also have members who are presently active in Antarctica, either in research, science support, art, literature, or the adventure tourism industry. Those who are simply fascinated and inspired by Antarctica are among our ranks, too. The Antarctican Society is truly multi-faceted.
To see our brochure and share it, CLICK HERE.