American College of Heraldry
Encyclopedia
The American College of Heraldry was founded in 1972 with the aim of aiding in the study and perpetuation of heraldry
in the United States
and abroad. Registrations are restricted by policy to American citizens or residents, as well as to others with significant personal or business connections in America.
, in 1972, it was reorganized and chartered as a non-profit corporate body by the State of Alabama
. The College is directed by a Board of Governors who elect Administrative Officers and an Advisory Board. There are several types of membership in the College, including distinguished fellows
, recognized for their eminent standing, particularly in the field of heraldry; fellows, who are so recognized because of their faithful service to the College and to the cause of heraldry; members, who are persons with an interest in heraldry; and associate members, who are less than eighteen years of age. The College's membership is composed of persons having a serious interest in heraldry and includes individuals from across the United States and from throughout the world.
Several private heraldic societies were organized through the years in the United States, but none were sufficiently strong enough to survive. It was in response to this heraldic vacuum that the College was established. The College's intent was to bring some semblance of order into the American heraldic arena and to begin meeting the erstwhile heraldic needs of the public in the United States. The College acts as a resource for those seeking information about heraldry and also as a database of existing armorial bearings that have been either collected or registered.
The first few years of the College were marked by creative experimentation and modification in heraldic modes. In time, experience led the way toward a more conservative standardized approach, compatible with heraldry existing in other nations.
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and abroad. Registrations are restricted by policy to American citizens or residents, as well as to others with significant personal or business connections in America.
History
After the foundation of the College in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, in 1972, it was reorganized and chartered as a non-profit corporate body by the State of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. The College is directed by a Board of Governors who elect Administrative Officers and an Advisory Board. There are several types of membership in the College, including distinguished fellows
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
, recognized for their eminent standing, particularly in the field of heraldry; fellows, who are so recognized because of their faithful service to the College and to the cause of heraldry; members, who are persons with an interest in heraldry; and associate members, who are less than eighteen years of age. The College's membership is composed of persons having a serious interest in heraldry and includes individuals from across the United States and from throughout the world.
Several private heraldic societies were organized through the years in the United States, but none were sufficiently strong enough to survive. It was in response to this heraldic vacuum that the College was established. The College's intent was to bring some semblance of order into the American heraldic arena and to begin meeting the erstwhile heraldic needs of the public in the United States. The College acts as a resource for those seeking information about heraldry and also as a database of existing armorial bearings that have been either collected or registered.
The first few years of the College were marked by creative experimentation and modification in heraldic modes. In time, experience led the way toward a more conservative standardized approach, compatible with heraldry existing in other nations.
See also
- American Heraldry SocietyAmerican Heraldry SocietyThe American Heraldry Society is a learned society that promotes the study of heraldry and education of U.S. citizens about heraldry. The organization also advocates the development of a distinctly American heraldic tradition and encourages the legal protection of armorial bearings in the U.S. The...
- Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical SocietyCommittee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical SocietyThe Committee on Heraldry of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, established in 1864, is the world's oldest non-governmental body primarily concerned with heraldry. It authenticates and records coats of arms rightfully borne in the United States or by U.S...
- College of Arms FoundationCollege of Arms FoundationThe College of Arms Foundation is a non-profit body whose mission is the promotion of heraldic knowledge in the United States. It was first incorporated in 1983 in the state of New York. The purpose of the original foundation was to raise funds for the College of Arms in London...