Finding Your Community
Quick Links:
The landscape of retro computing user groups in the United States is not one of decline, but of transformation. While the original model of the 1980s has evolved, the fundamental desire for community and hands-on interaction remains as strong as ever. The scene has diversified into a rich ecosystem of traditional clubs, historical societies, hackerspace SIGs, and major festivals, offering a variety of ways for enthusiasts to connect. The spirit of the Homebrew Computer Club lives on, not in a single form, but across these varied and vibrant gatherings.
The table that follows this article provides a quick-reference directory of verified active groups in the United States that hold regular in-person meetings.
Actionable Advice for the Enthusiast
For anyone seeking to connect with a local or regional retro computing community, a strategic approach will yield the best results. The following practices are recommended:
The Rule of Recency:
When researching a group online, prioritize evidence of recent activity. Look for meeting announcements, forum posts, or website updates from the last one to three months. A deep historical archive without current posts often indicates a “ghost group” that is no longer active.
Contact and Confirm:
Before traveling to a meeting for the first time, always attempt to make contact. As noted on the Fresno Commodore User Group’s website, times and locations can be subject to change. A quick email or message to the organizer confirms the meeting is happening and is a good way to introduce yourself.
Attend a Festival:
The major annual festivals, such as those run by the VCF, are an outstanding entry point into the wider community. Attending one of these events provides an opportunity to meet members from numerous local groups in a single weekend, helping you find the community that is the best fit for you.
The Future of the User Group
The enduring presence of these groups points to a future where they serve an increasingly important role in both preservation and community. In an ephemeral digital world, these clubs are becoming the physical archives of computing history. They are the workshops where aging hardware is repaired, the libraries where rare documentation is preserved, and the classrooms where the skills needed to operate these classic machines are passed down to a new generation.
Ultimately, the survival and evolution of the retro computing user group is a testament to the fundamental human need for connection around a shared passion. They are a powerful countercurrent to the isolation of the digital age, proving that even in a world of global networks, there is no substitute for gathering in a room with friends, surrounded by the tangible artifacts of a revolution you can still reach out and touch.
If you have knowledge about an active user group in your area, please submit the information to:
news@computesgazette.com
COMMODORE AND AMIGA
Fresno Commodore User Group (FCUG)
Fresno, CA
http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network (SCCAN)
Northridge, CA
http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
Central Texas Commodore Users Group
Austin, TX
https://www.meetup.com/central-texas-commodore-users-group/
Dallas / Fort Worth Texas Amiga Meet
Dallas, TX
https://dfwamigameet.com/
Bay Area Commodore Collective (B.A.C.C.)
San Francisco, CA
https://www.meetup.com/sfbacc/
Seattle Commodore Computer Club
Seattle, WA
http://www.sea-ccc.org/
ATARI
St. Paul ATARI® Computer Enthusiasts (SPACE)
St. Paul, MN
https://space.atari.org/
SLCC (San Leandro Computer Club)
San Leandro, CA
https://www.slcc.wdgeo.com/
Texas Atari 8-bit Computer Owners (T.A.C.O.)
Meets quarterly at the National Videogame Museum – Frisco, TX
Contact: John Hardie – johnjhardie@gmail.com
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
Chicago TI-99/4A Users Group
Evanston, IL
http://chicagotiug.org/
APPLE
Big Apple Users Group (BAUG)
New York, NY
http://www.panix.com/~joreilly/baug.html
The Villages Apple User Group (TVAUG)
The Villages, FL
https://www.tvaug.org/
Main Line Mac Users Group (MLMUG)
Paoli, PA
https://www.mlmug.org/
TANDY
Glenside Color Computer Club
Chicago Area, IL (Virtual/In-person)
https://www.glensideccc.com/
MULTI-PLATFORM
Retro-Computing Society of RI (RCS/RI)
Providence, RI
https://www.rcsri.org/rcs-info.shtml
Seattle Retro-Computing Society (SRCS)
Kirkland/Bothell, WA
https://www.seattleretrocomputing.com/
DMV Vintage Computer Meetup
Arlington, VA
https://www.meetup.com/dmv-dc-maryland-virginia-metro-vintage-computer-meetup/
The Florida Retro Computer Club
Fort Lauderdale, FL
https://www.meetup.com/the-florida-retrocomputer-club/
Triangle Vintage/Retro Computer Group
Raleigh, NC
https://www.meetup.com/triangle-vintage-and-retro-computer-group/
CT Hackerspace Retro Computing Meeting
Watertown, CT
https://www.meetup.com/ct-hackerspace/
Northwest Retro Computing Club
Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA
retrocomputingclub.com
Mid-Atlantic Retro-Computing Hobbyists (MARCH)
Wall, NJ
https://www.midatlanticretro.com
North Texas PC Users Group (NTPCUG)
Dallas, TX
https://www.meetup.com/north-texas-pc-users-group-meetup-in-dallas-texas/
DFW Retrocomputing
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
https://www.meetup.com/dfw-retrocomputing/
The Florida RetroComputer Club
Fort Lauderdale, FL
https://www.meetup.com/the-florida-retrocomputer-club/
Sarasota Technology Users Group
Sarasota, FL
https://thestug.org/index2.html
RETRO COMPUTING FESTIVALS
VCF West
August 2025 – Mountain View, CA
https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/
Tandy Assembly
September, 2025 – Springfield, OH
https://www.tandyassembly.com/
VCF Midwest
September 2025 – Schaumburg, IL
https://vcfmw.org/
VCF SoCal
February 2026 – Orange, CA
https://vcfsocal.com/index.html
VCF East
April 2026 – Wall, NJ
https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/
Commodore Los Angeles Super Show (CLASS)
April, 2026 – Burbank, CA
https://portcommodore.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=class:start
VCF Southeast
June 2026 – Atlanta, GA
https://vcfed.org/events/otherevents/vintage-computer-festival-southeast/
VCF Southwest
June 2026 – Richardson, TX
https://vcfsw.org/
Pacific Commodore Expo NW (PaCommEx)
June 2026 – Seattle, WA
https://portcommodore.com/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=pacommex:start