The Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society is celebrating the completion of a project to make over 170 years of its annual journal freely available online. The Society was first established in 1849 by ‘several gentlemen of Taunton and its neighbourhood’. In 1851, it published the first volume of its Proceedings and has continued to do so ever since. All the volumes have now been scanned, and many volunteers have been painstakingly adding them to the SANHS website and referencing them. This has taken over five years but it now represents a fascinating collection of archaeological, historical, geological and natural history studies undertaken by the Society within the historic county of Somerset from the nineteenth century up to the present day.

The early volumes describe the members’ day excursions to various sites, led by local experts. These accounts include beautiful hand-drawn sketches of local scenes and buildings as well as detailed plans of archaeological sites. Their refreshment breaks at historic houses and other establishments are also recorded at length.

Each volume includes the names of all the Society’s officers – a reminder of the philanthropic families that have existed in Somerset from the 19th century. The first volume includes details of the ten shillings (fifty pence) subscription rate in 1851.

Donors of ten guineas (ten pounds and fifty pence) could be Life Members! Details of how you can join SANHS are available at sanhs.org.

Membership rates may have increased somewhat since 1851 but the Society still provides a full programme of events and talks throughout the year to promote the study of archaeology, natural history, local history and historic buildings within the county. Image 1 - Front Cover of Volume 1 Image 2 - Frontispiece of Volume 1 - Tessalated pavement from Combe St Nicholas Image 3 - Illustration of a reredos from St John the Baptist Church, Wellington (from Volume 1 of SANHS Proceedings).

All volumes are now available for everyone to view at sanhs.org.