On November 19, 2025, roughly 45 people participated in a Virginia Folklore Society (VFS) interest meeting and reunion on Zoom. Folks signed on from as far west as Carroll County and as far east as Tangier to meet each other and share stories of culture and how they might want to co-create a VFS revival.
This gathering was the first experiment in reactivating VFS since the group held its last annual meeting in 2003. All told, more than 80 people registered, surpassing expectations of the gathering’s hosts, Katy Clune and VFS Encyclopedia Virginia entry co-authors, Daniel Bachman and Aldona Dye. Founded at the University of Virginia in 1913, VFS has experienced previous dormant periods followed by new energy and leadership.
There is now a genuine, grassroots desire to revive a forum where people interested in regional folkways can connect and learn from one another. Let’s keep exploring together what is possible.
Updates (1/12/26)
- Join the Virginia Folklore Society list-serve
You can subscribe to this new UVA-hosted mailing list with any email provider. - Join a Steering Committee Meeting
Steering Committee membership and meetings are currently open to all. We invite anyone interested to attend. The meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at 8pm, until further notice. Email folklife@virginiahumanities.org for the meeting link and/or call in information. The February 2, 2026, steering committee meeting will be devoted to discussing a mission statement. We invite your ideas on the priorities and mission of the group in this document. - Stay tuned for updates!
The Virginia Folklife Program will continue to share news and events organized by the VFS interest group. Subscribe to Folklife Program emails.
ICYMI
- Read the Encyclopedia Virginia entry on VFS
- Watch a recording of the “Entry Point” program featuring VFS entry authors and a montage of VFS field recordings (1932-1948)
- Explore the last website for the Virginia Folklore Society on the Wayback Machine
Questions? Comments? Don’t hesitate to be in touch. Email folklife@virginiahumanities.org.
Comments