Welcome to the Charleston (WV) Rose Society's web page.  It is our hope that this site will provide valuable information to the recreational rose gardener as well as the seasoned exhibitor.  Our Society membership intends to be proactive, putting our Consulting Rosarians at your disposal to answer questions about all aspects of rose growing. 

The Charleston Rose Society was founded in 1923, and boasted a membership of over 400 in its early years.  It is the oldest plant society in the State of West Virginia.  Our membership is dedicated to the growth of roses, the education of the public in rose culture, and fellowship with rose growers locally and across the country.  The Society became a member of the Colonial District when the District was formed in 1954.  The states of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia and the District of Columbia are also part of the Colonial District.  We are an affiliate of the American Rose Society, which is headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Our current membership is approximately 70, of which 7 are accredited judges and 21 are Consulting Rosarians.

Our monthly meetings occur on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. from February to June and September to November, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1600 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston.  Guests are always welcome at our meetings, and we would encourage anyone interested in learning more about roses and their culture to join us. 

We publish a monthly newsletter, and hold an annual rose show the first Sunday in June.  Our 76^th annual show will be held this year on June 4 at the University of Charleston's Geary Student Union.  Anyone who grows roses in their private garden is welcome to exhibit at our show; membership in a rose society is not required.  Further information about the show can be obtained by contacting the show chairmen, which this year happens to be me and my husband, Steve.

The Society also maintains the rose garden on the grounds of Sunrise Museum in Charleston.  Established in 1964, West Virginia's centennial year, the formal name of the garden is the "Centennial Rose Garden".  A bronze bust of Christa McAuliff, the teacher-astronaut that was killed in the Challenger space shuttle explosion, graces the garden.  Donations of pennies from the schoolchildren of West Virginia paid for the memorial.

You have a standing invitation to our meetings and our rose show.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Lynda Grass, President