’Swinside Stone Circle’, one of
Cumbria’s many prehistoric circles

It’s good to have you with us on the Home Page of Cumbria Past, the CWAAS website. Cumbria Past: an up-to-date name for the website of an up-to-date Society interested in Cumbria's past - its history, landscape and archaeology. And behind the website is the CWAAS, the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, founded in 1866 and keeping the traditional name alive, although the territory changed in 1974 and was also given a new name (see caption to map top left). Quite a challenge for a Society!

Membership	Transactions
Substantial benefits come from joining CWAAS; for instance, a copy of Transactions is sent to each member every November; and every member also receives three Newsletters each year, so keeping in touch with what's going on in Cumbria, and beyond.	Transactions (papers and notes on aspects of Cumbria's history and archaeology) are published annually. A copy of Transactions is sent to each member every November. CWAAS is also in the process of making the considerable Index of Transactions available on line.

ACTIVITIES

Spadeadam: CWAAS visit to former rocket station.

We enjoy exploring, reading about and researching Cumbria's varied and rich historical and archaeological heritage. Cumbria offers prehistoric circles and stone axe factories; Roman military sites a-plenty; Saxon and Viking antiquities such as Bewcastle Cross in the far north east of the county and Gosforth Cross in the mid-west; pele towers and castles which tell of Border raids and turbulent medieval days; and evidence of a later more peaceful existence - in the numerous parish churches and gracious houses. Seafaring and diverse industries have played a major role in Cumbria's development and there is much of both available to be explored.

Affiliated Groups	CWAAS Early Days
We share our enthusiasm and knowledge with others keen to know about Cumbria’s history and archaeology through our publications, lectures and visits. We also have 4 Affiliated Groups, each in a strategic part of Cumbria, each offering its own programme of activities and events.	If you enjoy reading about times past, this page will interest you. It offers randomly selected snippets taken from CWAAS Transactions, which at first, and for many years, included Proceedings. These bring to light all sorts of fascinating things about CWAAS in its early life. Latest Item: CWAAS PULLS IT OFF!