The inaugural meeting proposing a local history and antiquarian society was held on Friday 19th January 1923 at 37, Alma Place, North Shields at the home of Mr C.R. Park. It was unanimously agreed to form a society called The Tynemouth Antiquarian Society.
The first committee consisted of :-President Coun.Jas Harrison M.D. Vice presidents Coun J W Munby, Coun G S Scorer, Mr W Buckley. Hon Secs Messrs.R. King, Jas Hughes. Hon Treasurer Mr W S Garson. Twelve people were present at this first meeting and it was decided to hold meetings on alternate Friday evenings during the winter season.
By 1935 AGM the Society name was changed to The Tynemouth Antiquarian and Historical Society to attract more members interested in more recent history. The membership was now 125 with an average of 40 members at each meeting and an annual dinner was held again in the Grand Hotel at a charge of 5s 6d.
For the 1962 AGM the Society moved to the Camera House, Front Street, Tynemouth with thanks to the Tynemouth Photographic Society.
By 1990 with the Camera House room packed at meetings with 104 members it was decided to restrict membership to 110. A new Constitution was drawn up and adopted. There were regular summer outings and a dinner in March each year in the Grand Hotel.
At the 1993 AGM it was announced membership was now 110 with a waiting list of 30. Consequently for the 1994 AGM the Society moved to a larger room at the Priory School and the membership was now 116 with an unrestricted membership.
At the 94th AGM 2017 the subs were increased from £7 to £10 and the meeting room moved from the Chapel to Priory Junior School Hall but this room not being satisfactory the AGM in October 2018 and later meetings moved to Holy Saviours Church Hall.
