The Gesneriad Society Celebrates 75 Years!

As with a diamond  (the gem associated with this special anniversary) that requires shaping, cutting, and polishing to a mirror finish, the Society had and still has many hands working together to ensure that the brilliance of this stone doesn’t fade. From a society that could barely meet its expenses in the early 1980s, it has developed into one that maintains several special funds (totaling over $300,000) from which it distributes grants for gesneriad education, research, exploration, and student enrichment through convention attendance. The diamond-in-the-rough that Elvin McDonald revealed to the world in 1951 with the formation of The American Gloxinia Society has become, over these 75 years, a brilliant, multi-faceted gem, sharing its knowledge, financial resources, and general good will with gesneriad lovers around the world.

Anniversary highlights will include special presentations regarding the past, present, and future of The Gesneriad Society, accomplishments of students, researchers, and explorers who have benefited from the Society’s various grants and scholarships, a special anniversary dinner, and surprises at the Saturday night closing social.

We hope that you will be able to join us in Chicagoland for this year’s convention, from June 28 to July 4, where you will experience the growth and future of this unique society.