I am a member of the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association (“GCICA”). Last I checked, GCICA had 753 members from across the United States and Canada. I appreciate the opportunity to connect, share, and learn from so many other people who are also cast iron enthusiasts. There are many decades-long collectors in the club who have a wealth of information about vintage and antique cast iron – it is great to tap that knowledge. I have particularly enjoyed the chapter
GCICA Auction
meets and annual conventions; I’ll soon be blogging about the 2023 annual convention which will be held April 21-23, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Southern Cast Iron Magazine published an article about the 25th Anniversary GCICA Convention – “Iron Pride” – that was held in Springfield Missouri in 2017.
Photo from a West Coast chapter meet, held at the O’Neil Cast Iron Museum near Tacoma, WA.
In addition to meeting others and sharing information and insight about vintage and antique cookware, the annual conventions offer the opportunity to learn through “table talks,” where knowledgeable folks offer up information about a particular aspect or type of cast iron, a giant auction where you can snag some excellent pieces, room sales of cast iron, and a big swap meet. Seminars are also held on topics of interest to the entire group.
Another benefit of membership is a quarterly newsletter, the “Griswold & Cast Iron Quarterly.” The newsletter discusses items of interest to the group. Past issues of the newsletter are available to members on the GCICA website, as well.1
Cost to join GCICA is $25/year for a single membership, $30/year for a family membership. Student memberships are $10/year. You can find the information to become a member here.
If you are a vintage cast iron cookware enthusiast, do check out the Facebook group and give consideration to joining the club. It is well worth the small cost involved.
