Astronomy & astrophysics in the US Antarctic Program

I trace the history of Astronomy in the US Antarctic Program from the International Geophysical Year in 1956-57 until the advent of the Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica (CARA) and the Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA) in the first few years of this decade. The history is related from the personal perspective I have gained from being the Program Director for Antarctic Aeronomy and Astrophysics in NSF's Office of Polar Programs since 1985.