History
FLASH FROM THE PAST
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The first meeting was held in September of 1951, here is a writing on that date by the secretary’s note’s “The beginning of the African Violet Society of Syracuse was at the Harvest Festival in the E Genesee St. Amory in September 1951. They later met again in the parlors of Trinity Episcopal Church on November 8th, 1951, with 47 members paying dues. The chairman called the meeting to order at 8:30 pm and formed a Charter for the club which was approved by all. The chairman (now we call them President) Treasurer and Secretary was asked to fill the temporary positions. The nominating committee was formed, and dues were set at 1.00 a year. The secondary meeting in January 1952 the officers were duly elected. The February and March meetings brought an additional 33 members, it was voted to have our own stationery and membership cards. It was voted that each member would contribute .05 for a Good Cheer fund and was voted to become affiliated with the Garden center, each member was to pay .21. The next year, 1952, the membership dues were raised to 2.00 for a single and 2.50 per couple. In 1952 we joined AVSA, and the first African Violet Show was held April 11, 1953. The attendance was 2,462 people and 700 plants, the Binghamton Club participated with us.”
FUN FACTS FROM OUR HISTORY
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Organized on November 8th, 1951, to stimulate a widespread interest in the propagation and culture of African Violets.
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The Newsletter was called the monthly Bulletin in 1951
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1953 – Mrs. Harold Rienhardt presented then Mayor Corcoran with a choice African Violet​
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In April of 1953 the first annual show and sale was held in the Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts cost to exhibitor .30 which included tax.
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A double pink violet was shown for the first time in New York State in Spring of 1954
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The Post Standard society section had an article entitled “African Violets Are like Friends in your home.”
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In 1954 the dues were 2.00, only an increase of 10.00 for the dues in 2021.
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In 1954 the meeting started at 8 pm with business, then round table, members could bring plants to be judged at the meeting and each meeting ended with a coffee hour.
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Syracuse has been the host for 9 New York State Conventions since the first one in 1954.
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In 1959 the club had a booth at the NYS fair where they sold plants, had an educational booth and a show. This practice was carried on until the cost of the space became too much.
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Duane Champion and Isabella O’Rand at the Show in 1988
Duane and Ethel Champion