By Luanne Arico
Celebrating 60 Years of Friendship through Violets
The Garden State African Violet Club Then and Now
WEST WINDSOR, NJ March 22, 2009. The sepia tint was not the only clue that the photo was from a bygone era. The women were dressed primly in skirts, pumps, gloves and hats as they milled around the long tables of plants that filled the ballroom of the Trenton War Memorial. It was 1949 and the photo was of the first Show and Sale of the African Violet Club of Trenton. Founded in November 1948, the group changed its name in the early 90’s to the Garden State African Violet Club (GSAVC) to reflect its broader demographics. As they celebrated their club’s 60th Anniversary Season by perusing the archives of their organization, today’s GSAVC members could not imagine attending meetings or putting on their annual African Violet Show and Sale today dressed that formally.
A lot has changed in those sixty years besides the club’s dress code and the name. For one thing, the club is not nearly as large as it was then. Back in the early post-WW II era, most women were only homemakers and they had time to indulge themselves in afternoon violet club meetings while the kids were in school and the men went to work. Today, with two-income families and hectic household schedules the norm, the club now attracts more single and retired women, and the meetings are held in the evenings. On the other hand, there are now many more men active in the club as society’s stereotypes of what is considered “masculine” have relaxed. Over the years the club has also moved its meeting site from Trenton to Hamilton, and now to Robbinsville where it holds its monthly evening meetings at the Washington Township Library.
Despite the changes in name, membership demographics, and meeting locations, the one thing that has remained constant throughout the years is the club members’ devotion to the cultivation and enjoyment of genus Saintpaulia, the botanical name for African Violets, as well as other related plants of the Gesneriad family. Club members swap leaves of unusual hybrids and seek out specific plants for particular attributes such has variegated leaves or iridescent blooms. The Garden State African Violet Club also continues to strive to uphold its motto, “Friendship through Violets”, by welcoming anyone interested in learning about the care and culture of African Violets to its monthly meetings and annual Show & Sale held each May.
The theme of this year’s Annual Show & Sale is “Violets by Land, Sea & Air”, and will be held at the Mercer County Community College Student Center on Saturday, May 2 from 12:00 to 6:00 PM and Sunday, May 3 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Anyone wishing to learn more about cultivating African Violets and start or expand his or her collection should plan to attend this event. All are welcome and admission is FREE.
For the Show, GSAVC members will exhibit their carefully grown and groomed plants and compete for prizes in over thirty horticulture classes and several interpretive design categories that depict the show’s theme. Non-members are also invited to exhibit their plants in a special Non-Member category. Additionally, an educational display with literature and demonstrations on the care and cultivation of African Violets will be presented and club members will be on hand to answer questions.
The Sale will include an assortment of unusual African Violet plants and leaves, as well as other Gesneriads. The public is urged to come early for the best selection!
For more information about the Garden State African Violet Club, its meeting schedule, tips on growing African Violets, and to view pictures from past shows, please visit their website at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/gsavc/. To request more information about the Show & Sale please contact the club at [email protected] or call 609-259-7095.

