About Rose City Mahjong

Rose City Mahjong was started by Penny Sullivan in Madison, New Jersey. Penny learned to play mahjong 17 years ago with neighborhood friends. The group was taught a valuable lesson about mahjong from day one - you have to be prepared to receive the luck of the tiles.

Penny revived the mahjong program at The Senior Center of the Chathams in 2023, offering free beginner lessons, and hosting weekly open plays. That group has grown to over 50 active members, averaging 25 players each week.

As mahjong fever started spreading in the Garden State, Penny began teaching small groups of players in Madison and neighboring towns, finding great joy is spreading the magic of mahjong to others.

What is the Rose City?

Madison, New Jersey is affectionately known as The Rose City due to its history as a major commercial rose grower from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Located just 25 miles west of New York City, Madison’s rose farmers supplied the city’s flower markets with fresh cut blooms that were shipped via train every day.

The rose is doubly symbolic, as it not only represents the beauty of the game of mahjong, but also plays homage to Penny’s favorite tile - the valuable and versatile Flower.