Eastern Communication Association records

The Eastern Communication Association was initially established as non-profit organization in 1910 and continues as the oldest professional communication association in the United States. The organization's members participate in state, regional, and national activities related to speech, forensics, and communication theory. The stated purpose of the organization is "to promote the study, criticism, research, teaching and application of the artistic, humanistic and scientific principles of communication." Membership in the organization is open to any person or institution interested in promoting the organization's purposes but ECA especially serves persons and institutions within the states, commonwealths, federal districts, and territories of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The name of the organization has undergone several changes over the years. It was established in 1910 as the Conference of Instructors of Public Speaking in the Colleges of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Colombia, and Southern New York. Sometime between 1910 and 1914, the name was simplified to the Public Speaking Conference of New England and the North Atlantic States. In 1914, it became known as the Eastern Public Speaking Conference, and in 1950 the organization was renamed the Speech Association of the Eastern States. Finally, in 1973 it became known as the Eastern Communication Association.

The ECA has published a variety of periodicals during its history including Today's Speech,The Bulletin,Communication Quarterly, and various organizational newsletters.

Source: "About ECA--History," Eastern Communication Association. http://www.ecasite.org/aws/ECA/pt/sp/p_about_history (last accessed May 20, 2015)