The Classical Association of the Maritime Provinces was formed in August 1930. Its constitution appeared in Proceedings of the Classical Association of the Maritime Provinces, first annual meeting, 7-8 August 1931 (copy located in file 1). The first president was James W. Cohoon, Wood Professor of Classics at Mount Allison University, where the first annual meeting was held 7-8 August, 1931.

By 1933, the association included members from Newfoundland. The Classical Association was “reborn” in 1986 when an annual meeting was held at Mount Allison in conjunction with the ninth annual Crake Lectures, 30 September-1 October, 1986. It was named the Atlantic Classical Association at that time. Professor Hans Vanderleest (Mount Allison) was appointed treasurer, and has held the position since.

It is a fairly informal group, meeting annually. The executive membership usually reflects the location of the annual meeting (i.e., for a meeting held at Mount Allison, Mount Allison faculty members are the executive).