GVBCA was founded back in 1969 by ten or so "founding" people who at that time knew very few other "bottle" collectors. In addition, the founding members had very little knowledge about each other. However, they had a common passion, interest, and goal to learn more about bottles. At that time, a club that would bond collectors together seemed right. It gave a chance for members to share bottle collecting stories and knowledge along with the chance to buy, sell and trade bottles with each other. At one time, there were more than two hundred people attending our monthly meetings.
Soon, promotion of our first bottle show in Rochester began in 1969. The following spring, GVBCA hosted the first of many successful shows at Vince's Fifty Acres. The following year the show was moved to building two at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, then Minett Hall. During 2004 to 2006, our show was held at the ESL Sports Centre. In 2007, the show was moved back to Minett Hall at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. In 2013 when the Monroe County Fairgrounds was closed and put up for sale, our show was moved to the Voller Athletic Center at Roberts Wesleyan College where the show is currently held today. GVBCA Bottle Show and Sale is held every spring (generally in April) with an average of two hundred tables or more featuring bottles, insulators, table top collectibles, paper, and postcards. Our show and sale is open to the public and dealer inquires are always welcome.
CLUB MEETINGS: Monthly club meetings which include show and tell and great socializing begin with a brief business meeting and then features an educational program. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise noted) except July and August at the:
First Baptist Church of Rochester
175 Allens Creek Road
Rochester, NY 14618
Business meeting starts at 6:00pm.
NEWSLETTER: Applied Seals is the monthly newsletter of GVBCA. Members are encouraged to submit articles on their areas of interest or on an auction or show experience. Also included is a listing of upcoming shows and sales. Applied Seals is mailed or e-mailed to each member and various bottle clubs in the United States and Canada every month except July and August.
LIBRARY: GVBCA has an extensive library of collectible and antique related books. These include books on many types of bottles, glass, and general collectibles. These books can be used as valuable reference tools and are available to any member on a sign out basis at our monthly meetings.
PICNIC: Instead of a June meeting, members of GVBCA have a summer picnic with the chance to socialize, eat good food, and maybe pick up an item or so at one of the various tables set up at the picnic. Tailgating is always encouraged.
