About the GCICA
The Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association (GCICA) brings together people who share an interest in vintage and collectible cookware.
From new collectors to longtime enthusiasts, our members share knowledge, discoveries, and a passion for collecting.
GCICA hosts a National Convention and Regional Chapter Meets throughout the year, giving members opportunities to learn, connect, and enjoy the hobby together.
Our History
In the summer of 1991, three couples—Larry and Sue Foxx, Jim and Sally Swanson, and Joe and Joanie Baldini—began discussing a club for collectors of Griswold cookware. They hoped it would connect collectors nationwide and help them share information and friendships.
They planned a swap meet and organizational meeting at the Swansons’ kitchen table. The first swap meet took place on April 4, 1992, at the Asbury Barn in Erie, Pennsylvania, with 105 collectors and enthusiasts attending. At the meeting that followed, participants chose to welcome collectors of all cast iron cookware, and the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association was born.
By the second convention in April 1993, the association had grown to 220 members and formed committees addressing topics including reproductions, appraisals, and library resources. More than 300 people attended the 1995 convention, and membership exceeded 900 by fall 1997.
Source: Griswold & CICA 1998 Handbook, p. 1.
Charter Members — 1992
We honor the charter members who helped establish the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association. The complete list below is transcribed from the charter-member page in the 2016 GCICA Directory.
Source: 2016 GCICA Directory, p. 13. Names, grouping, order, and location abbreviations are preserved as printed. This is a historical roster.
- Bill & Arlene Bailey, PA
- Paul & Bunny Baker, NY
- Joe & Joanie Baldini, PA
- Mack Ball, PA
- Ron Brandus & Mildred Tuda, KY
- Jane Brymer & Roy Meadows, CN
- Arlo Chapman, IL
- Charles Clauson, OH
- Shawn Corbin, VA
- George Cotton, VA
- Anita Cump, PA
- Bob & Waneta Curtis, KY
- Marlene Dixon, OH
- Larry Davies, PA
- Lee Dieter, VA
- John Dougherty, MN
- Darryl Dudash, PA
- John Dyewski, PA
- Gayle Evens, NJ
- Larry & Sue Fox, PA
- Glen & Maxine Gary, KY
- Dick & Dianna Giles, VA
- Chuck Glendenning, PA
- Peter & Nedra Griswold, NY
- George & Dorothy Griswold, PA
- Terry & Barb Helmi, PA
- Alan & Kathy Hauser, PA
- Jim Haynes, PA
- Merle & Pat Henry, PA
- Cheryl & Cleve Hostetter, PA
- Denise Hudson, CN
- Donald & Ethel Leed, PA
- Rosalie & Ray Lovelace, PA
- Neil Maffie, NY
- Brad Makin, TN
- Tom Makin, VA
- Ernie Marska, PA
- Donna McCarthy, PA
- Dick & Esther Miller, PA
- Dan & Sally Mosholder, OH
- Bob & Doris Mosier, PA
- Linda Murray, OH
- Mac McClendon, FL
- John Nelson, NY
- Joe & Sandy Noto, NC
- Frank Oaks, PA
- Jay & Karen Palmer, PA
- Dr. & Mrs. Richard Reichel, PA
- Dr. Richard L. Reichel II, PA
- William & Sharon Roberts, OH
- Ingeborg Rowan, NY
- Judith & Earl Rudloff, PA
- Joel Schiff, NY
- Howard & Carol Seifert, PA
- Wayne & Sandra Shultz, PA
- Dave & Cathy Smith, NY
- Michael Smith, KY
- Martha Snyder, PA
- Merle & Phyllis Starr, PA
- Gary Strickhouser, PA
- Jim & Sally Swanson, PA
- Emory & Beverly Tilson, PA
- Irv Wagenschnur, DE
- Willard Weathby & Gloria Britten, PA
- Byron & Betty Wenger, PA
- Wayne & Wilma Willard, AL
- Rick Williams, PA
- Grant & Pat Windsor, VA
- Jo Zartman, PA
National Convention history
| Year / dates | Location |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Erie, PA |
| 1993 | Erie, PA |
| 1994 | Plant City, FL |
| 1995 | Erie, PA |
| 1996 | Charlotte, NC |
| 1997 | Erie, PA |
| 1998 | St. Louis, MO |
| 1999 | Rochester, NY |
| 2000 | Portland, OR |
| 2001 | Erie, PA |
| 2002 | Lafayette, LA |
| 2003 | Denver, CO |
| 2004 | Philadelphia, PA |
| 2005 | Charlotte, NC |
| 2006 | Santa Ana, CA |
| 2007 | Plano, TX |
| 2008 | Portland, ME |
| 2009 | St. Louis, MO |
| 2010 | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 2011 | Erie, PA |
| May 3–6, 2012 | Renton, WA |
| April 24–28, 2013 | Columbus, OH |
| 2014 | Winchester, VA |
| 2015 | Fargo, ND |
| 2016 | Orono, ME |
| 2017 | Springfield, MO |
| 2018 | Baton Rouge, LA |
| 2019 | Florence, KY |
| 2020 | Canceled (planned for Orono, ME) |
| 2021 | Erie, PA |
| 2022 | Florence, KY |
| April 20–23, 2023 | Baton Rouge, LA |
| March 14–16, 2024 | Erie, PA |
| April 10–12, 2025 | St. Louis, MO |
| April 23–25, 2026 | Florence, KY |
The 2020 convention planned for Orono, Maine, was canceled due to COVID-19.
Next convention: April 8–10, 2027 — Nichols, NY (Tioga Downs Casino Resort). See the Events page for current details.
National presidents
| President | Documented service |
|---|---|
| Larry Foxx | 1992–1994 |
| Joe Noto | 1994–1998 |
| Dean Fitzwater | 1998–2002 |
| Butch Parthree | 2002–2005 |
| Lou Wright | 2005–2007 |
| Gary Taylor | 2007–2009 |
| Russ Howser | 2009–2012 |
| Brad Schwarting | 2012–2017 |
| Scott McCarter | 2017–2021 |
| Art Chatfield | 2021–2025 |
| Josh Delp | Elected in 2025 |
Information regarding upcoming events, please see the events section.
To join the G&CICA , click on "Become a Member"
