The International Platform Association was founded in 1831 by American diplomat Daniel Webster (1782-1852) and educator Josiah Holbrook. (1788-1854). Holbrook was the principal founder of the Lyceum movement in 19th Century America.

The original name was the American Lyceum Association. The Lyceum movement was a venue for lectures, debates, and musical, religious, entertainment, and educational presentations for adults.

After the Civil War, many lyceums which had been devoted to science and manufacturing advances also opened their doors to vaudeville entertainers. In some ways, the Lyceums of the 19th Century were like C-SPAN today.  

In 1918, the name changed again to International Lyceum and Chatuaqua Association (ILCA); the word “Chatauqua” was dropped in 1932. The last name change in 1947 was to International Platform Association, which has remained the name to this day.