The Virginia Adult Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE), originally called the Adult Education Association of Virginia (AEAV) was founded on October 12, 1951 at a conference sponsored by University of Virginia. Some of the original founding members of the organization were members of the Southeastern Adult Education Association (SAEA) who had attended an SAEA conference held in Charlottesville, VA, in 1950. VAACE was a racially diverse organization since its founding and its organizing committee included at least one Black educator, Dr. Margaret Dabney, who later was the Dean of Teacher Education at Virginia State University.

Since 1973, VAACE has worked to educate its members on the legislative process and the importance of working to shape legislation that would impact adult and continuing education. In 1984, members advocated for a new constitution for the organization that would allow for the creation of interest groups in order to have the authority (and organizational backing) to advocate for legislative change and advance other aims. At the same time, the organization changed its name to the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education.

VAACE continues to serve as a professional organization for adult educators in Virginia through advocacy work, leadership, and by providing professional development opportunities.