The society traces its roots to two Portlanders whose passion for the “Queen of Flowers” had them driving to Boston to attend meetings of the New England Rose Society. William L. Homan and Kenneth C. Irvine were growing large rose gardens at the time and, with typical Maine independence, got the idea that Maine deserved its own society. Both founders are remembered through trophies given in their names at annual MRS rose shows. Picture: Kenneth C. Irvine, left (MRS presdient of 1963), and William L. Homan (MRS president of 1962)

Several local rose societies throughout New England and Quebec, including the Maine Rose Society, belong to the Yankee District, the next higher level of the American Rose Society. The Maine Rose Society became officially affiliated with the American Rose Society in 1962.

(Contributed by MRS members, Mrs Claire Homan and Sari Hou) (Click to view more about MRS in the past)

1964 Maine Rose Society Rose Show