Society of Massage Archives
Short Term Goals:
- Collect, archive, & digitize significant documents, artifacts, & oral histories related to the history of massage therapy so they remain preserved and accessible in perpetuity for future generations.
- Foster a sense of community among practitioners by celebrating our shared professional heritage and promoting professional unity.
- Develop educational programs and materials that integrate historical knowledge into massage therapy training and practice.
- Conduct and transcribe interviews with veteran practitioners and key figures in the profession.
- Acquire and preserve historical massage tools, textbooks, pamphlets, ephemera, and other significant items through a physical repository.
- Create a digital repository to store and share historical documents and artifacts.
- Publish newsletters and articles that highlight significant historical developments in massage therapy.
- Establish a membership program to engage practitioners, educators, and enthusiasts in the Society’s activities.
Long Term Goals
- Increase public awareness of the historical significance of massage therapy through exhibitions, publications, and online content.
- Encourage and support research on the history of massage therapy and its impact on contemporary practice.
- Host educational events focused on the history and evolution of massage therapy. Collaborate with museums and wellness centers to create exhibits showcasing the history of massage therapy.
- Publish books that highlight significant historical developments in massage therapy.
- Organize annual conferences/galas that focus on networking, historical topics, and their relevance to modern practice.
- Partner with academic institutions and professional organizations (AMTA, ABMP, FSMTB, AFMTE, NCBTMB, COMTA, & MTF) to conduct and publish historical research.
- Offer grants and scholarships to support research projects on the history of massage therapy.
Progress Chart
| Incorporate in Wisconsin as a business | Started August 2024 | Completed August 2024 |
| Begin application process to become a 501c3 non-profit society | Starting January 2025 | |
| Create, maintain and update website and social media platforms | Started August 2024 | Ongoing |
| Research and develop an archival system | In Progress | |
| Create video interviews on the history of massage/podcasts | Started November 2024 | 3 completed Dec. 2024 |
| Research and find grants from our professional associations and other stakeholders | ||
| Launch subscription and contributions | Starting January 2025 |
Mission Statement
To preserve & integrate the historical knowledge of massage therapy’s professional advocacy & traditional techniques to guide and enrich our contemporary practices. Through the following objectives, SOMA will ensure the profession’s history will be safeguarded and accessible for future generations:
• Preserve Historical Artifacts & Documents
• Integrate Historical Knowledge With Educational Outreach
• Increase Public Awareness Of Massage Therapy’s Historical Significance
• Foster A Sense Of Community By Celebrating A Shared Professional Heritage
• Encourage & Support Research & Documentation
Vision Statement
Our vision is to build a stronger professional identity, fostering a sense of culture and community, and guide the sustainability & future growth of massage therapy.
“Lack of historical perspective has deprived massage therapists of a sense of being a part of a long and
extraordinary tradition.”
Patricia Benjamin