In May 1923, a small group of poets who wanted to stimulate an interest in poetry in the Commonwealth met in the Chapel of the Wren Building at the College of William & Mary. The group drafted a constitution and bylaws for the organization and named it The Poetry Society of Virginia. Dr. Charles N. Feidelson served as the new organization's first president.

Through publications, member readings, visiting poets, contests, workshops, in-school programs, festivals, and other activities, PSV has deepened the appreciation of poetry throughout Virginia communities.
 
Visiting poets have included Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Carl Sandburg, Richard Wilbur, Donald Hall, Charles Wright—and more recently, Gregory Orr, Dorianne Laux, Joseph Millar, Jesse Graves, Tim Seibles, Margaret Mackinnon, Dan and Suzanne Stryk, and Jane Ellen Glasser. Membership in the society has grown to over 400, with about 15% of members living outside of Virginia.

Our organization has been instrumental in assisting the Governor of Virginia with the selection of Poet Laureate. An appointed PSV committee makes recommendations to the organization’s elected President who then forwards nominations to the Governor for his final review and decision.​

PSV's historical archives are housed in the special collections repositories at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.