History of the
Central Jersey African Violet Society
In the fall of 1974, Joseph Hoe posted a notice in a local greenhouse inviting African violet growers
to a meeting at his home with the purpose of establishing a local African violet club. The first meeting
was held January 28, 1975. The loosely formed group continued to meet at Joe’s home. On March, 25, 1975,
6 members met at an organizational meeting and Central Jersey African Violet Society was on its way!
In March, 1978, Central Jersey became an affiliate of AVSA and in October, 1978, the first bylaws
were approved. By 1979, the membership had grown and the meeting place was changed to the
Presbyterian Church of Matawan. In June 1982, Central Jersey became an affiliate of TriState
African Violet Council. Central Jersey’s first AVSA Standard Show was held March 14-15, 1980
at the First Methodist Church of Matawan. In 1990, the show moved to the Presbyterian Church
and in 1993 to the First Baptist Church of Matawan, where our 30th Annual Show and Sale was
recently held. In 1994, the meeting moved to our current location, The Matawan Women’s Club.
We look forward to many more years of friendship and successful growing.
Purpose – to stimulate interest in African violets and related Gesneriad plants, to exchange
information and further education in growing these plants and to provide good fellowship.
Any person interested in the purpose of the Society is invited to join.
For more info please contact:
Jan Murasko