Mrs. Annette Colbert Johnson founded The Pierians in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 13, 1958.

Nine women joined Mrs. Johnson in her interest in the arts to form this group, which became unique to Baltimore and the greater Maryland audience. The nine women who joined were: Kathleen Carter, Olivia Dixon, Mercedes Douglass, Hazel Fleming, Jewel Moseley, Charlotte Mebane, Lydia Mussenden, Gwendolyn Tarter, and Mamie Todd.

The organization was named The Pierians, a name taken from Pieria, a region of Ancient Macedonia and one of the earliest seats of the Muses. The Pierians' spring was a fountain in Pieria, sacred to the Muses and believed to communicate poetic inspiration. This organization is devoted to promoting and encouraging the study and enjoyment of the fine arts. Mrs. Johnson emphasized that it would not be a social club or a service club, but rather an organization whose members would engage in cultural activities such as attending the theatre, opera, symphony, and museums.

The Pierians incorporated in 1983. In 1993, the organization's official documents were presented to the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, Maryland, ensuring its place in Maryland's history.

Since chartering the first chapter in Baltimore, Maryland, nineteen additional chapters have been established across the United States, making The Pierians, Incorporated, a national organization. There are currently eighteen active chapters.