Virginia Orchid Society: Our History

70+ Years of Orchid Preservation and Cultivation

Today, the Virginia Orchid Society reflects and celebrates its seventy-plus years of existence.  Not unlike many other organizations, the beginnings of the VOS were spread over several years, while the growth and maturation of this organization continue to this date.

The Virginia Orchid Society (VOS) traces its beginnings to a small gathering of orchid enthusiasts in Richmond in the early 1950s, meeting initially in the garage greenhouse of Mrs. J.G. “Evelyn” Palmore. Encouraged by founder Dr. Henry S. Spencer, the group formalized its organization in 1951 and quickly began expanding its membership and activities. In March 1953, the VOS became formally affiliated with the American Orchid Society, establishing its connection to the national orchid community.

In its earliest years, membership was by invitation and consisted largely of greenhouse growers focused primarily on Cattleyas. Meetings were held in members’ homes before transitioning to public venues such as banks, garden clubhouses, the Science Museum of Virginia, Strange’s Garden Center, and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Over time, the Society evolved from a small, socially oriented group into a structured educational organization featuring regular guest speakers, judged display tables, novice grower participation, and organized committees.

Public outreach has long been central to the Society’s mission. The first official VOS orchid show was held in 1952, followed by decades of annual shows in venues across Richmond. The Society has participated in regional and national orchid events, helped establish the Eastern Orchid Congress, and cosponsored significant gatherings, including the American Orchid Society’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1971. In 2007, the VOS began hosting AOS-accredited judged shows, continuing annually until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Membership grew steadily through the late twentieth century, reaching approximately one hundred members by the 1990s and maintaining similar numbers into the 2000s. While changes—including the formation of the Richmond Orchid Alliance in 2005—shaped the organization’s landscape, the Society has remained active and resilient. Today, the VOS continues to hold regular meetings and annual shows, most recently returning to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where it maintains a strong public presence and continues its mission of orchid education, cultivation, and community engagement.

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A Timeline of Orchid Excellence in Richmond, VA

Early 1950s
• Informal orchid gatherings begin in Richmond, hosted by Evelyn Palmore
• Virginia Orchid Society officially organized in 1951

1953
• VOS becomes affiliated with the American Orchid Society

1950s–1960s
• Meetings held in members’ homes and early public venues
• Focus primarily on greenhouse-grown Cattleyas

1970s–1980s
• Expansion of orchid diversity and growing methods
• Shift toward structured educational programs and guest speakers

1952–1990s
• Annual orchid shows held across Richmond, including department stores, banks, museums, and garden centers

1971
• VOS co-sponsors the American Orchid Society’s 50th Anniversary celebration in Colonial Williamsburg

2007–2020
• VOS hosts annual AOS-accredited judged orchid shows

2022–Present
• Return to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for meetings and shows
• Continued focus on education, public outreach, and community engagement

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The Virginia Orchid Society History Archive

1. History Overview (PDF)
2. History 1951-1953 (PDF)
3. History 1954 (PDF)
4. History 1955 (PDF)
5. 1955 – Newspaper Clippings (PDF)