In 1996, at the SAA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, the Public Education Committee’s Archaeology Week and Network Subcommittees, along with the SAA’s Council of Affiliated Societies, sponsored the first Archaeology Day, Week, or Month poster contest. Called "Celebrate Archaeology 1995-96," it was held as part of the Public Session on April 13. Conference and public session participants selected the winners.

The State Archaeology Celebration Poster Contest has continued every year since 1996. Until 2020, winners were selected by popular vote of conference participants at each year’s SAA Annual Meeting. After that, voting has been held online. Starting in 2022, the contest voting has been open to the public again.

The contest is possible through the support of members and the Public Education Endowment Fund.