Fraternities Collection, 1830-2004 (bulk 1830s-1984)
General International Standard for Archival Description
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Amherst, MA
Finding aid encoded in NoteTab Pro. Encoded by Peter A. Nelson. 2011-03-25
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Fraternities Collection
Creation of Fraternities Collection
Time of Creation of Fraternities Collection
42 records storage boxes, 2 archives boxes, 3 half archives boxes, 3 oversize boxes
Biographical History for: Fraternities Collection
Historical Note Fraternities played an important role in the history of Amherst College from the founding of the first "secret society" in 1830 to the dissolution of the fraternity system in 1984 and the continuing presence of "underground" fraternity activity. The first student-run societies at Amherst College were the literary Athenian and Alexandrian societies, open to all students. In 1830, a secret literary society was formed, Chi Delta Theta, which lasted until 1845. "Secret" and "Anti-Secret" societies proliferated in the coming decades both at Amherst and at other American colleges. The first national fraternity to open a chapter at Amherst was Alpha Delta Phi in 1837. At their peak, in the 1910s-1930s, there were fourteen fraternity chapters; in addition, non-fraternity men formed parallel groups such as the Commons Club (1941) and the Lord Jeffrey Amherst Club (1935) as a balance to fraternities' secrecy and elitism. Fraternities and other secret societies were the cause of much concern to Amherst College's faculty and administration at various points in their history. In 1842, faculty required the two fraternities on campus to share their secret files, but were unable to enforce the request. Continuing concern brought President Edward Hitchcock to write letters to other college presidents in 1846 inquiring into their experiences with secret societies. Eventually the fraternities gained general acceptance and flourished until the disruptions of World War II. During this time most of the fraternities bought or built houses, established ties with national fraternities, formed bases of alumni support and changed focus from largely literary and academic pursuits to a greater emphasis on social events and leisure activities. In 1943, during World War II, the fraternities were shut down and their houses served as military quarters. After the war, the changing social and academic climate led to a debate on the question of whether to restore fraternities at Amherst. The fraternities were reopened, but never again enjoyed the firm support of previous decades. On April 20, 1946 the Trustees of the college declared that all fraternities would be required to formally advise the Trustees that they did not discriminate on the basis of race, color or creed in their membership selection process. The initial deadline of October 1, 1948 was later extended to February 1, 1951 to permit extra time for local fraternity chapters having difficulty negotiating for the removal of discriminatory clauses with their national. During this period, a number of houses found themselves at odds with the discriminatory policies of their national bodies and found it necessary to disaffiliate and become locally-based organizations; the first to surrender its charter was Delta Tau Delta in September 1946, subsequently becoming Kappa Theta. The first fraternity to deal with the challenge of racial integration was Phi Kappa Psi, which pledged Thomas Gibbs (AC 1951), a black student, in 1948; it was not only the first fraternity at Amherst to do so, but the first in the nation. At the time, the local chapter did not expect to stir up controversy over this act, as there was no clause of discrimination in the national's constitution; however, that August, the Amherst delegates to the national convention were met with an order forbidding the pledging of Gibbs. The Amherst Phi Psi chapter, with the overwhelming (but not quite unanimous) support of its alumni, held fast to its decision. Accordingly, in December 1948, the national executive committee suspended the chapter. No longer affiliated with the national, Amherst's Phi Kappa Psi changed its name to Phi Alpha Psi. The whole matter caused a storm of national publicity. The post-war issue of discrimination signaled a new attitude toward fraternities at the College: if fraternities were to continue on campus, their first allegiance would have to be to the ideals and priorities of the College, not the national body. Projecting forward to 1975, when Amherst became coeducational, their future was immediately put in jeopardy. Major milestones since the Phi Psi controversy are as follows: the achievement of 100% rushing in 1952, the first College in the nation to implement such a system; the transfer of fraternity property to College ownership in 1963; the mandate in 1980 to include female students in fraternities; and ultimately, the formal dissolution of the fraternity system in 1984. AMHERST COLLEGE FRATERNITIES: OVERVIEW Chi Delta ThetaDates: 1830-1845Alpha Delta Phi (previously Iota Pi Kappa)Dates: 1837-1984Psi Upsilon Dates: 1841-1984Delta KappaDates: 1845-1870Delta Kappa Epsilon Dates: 1846-1984Disaffiliation from national: [1971?]Alpha Sigma PhiDates: 1847-1848, 1854-[1860] Delta Upsilon (non-secret)Dates: 1849- 1982 Disaffiliation from national: unknownSigma Delta Alpha Dates: 1855-1868Zeta PsiDates: 1858-1859Chi Psi/ Delta Chi Psi Dates: 1864-1984Disaffiliation from national: unknownChi Phi Dates: 1873-1984Beta Theta Pi (previously Torch and Crown)Dates: 1883-[at least 1968]Theta Delta Chi/ Theta Delta Dates: 1885-1984 Dates: unknownPhi Delta Theta/ Sigma Dates: 1888-1984 Disaffiliation from national: 1953 Phi Gamma Delta/Chi Dates: 1893-1984 Disaffiliation from national: 1958Phi Kappa Psi/ Phi Alpha Psi Dates: 1895- 1969 Disaffiliation from national: 1948 Kappa Theta/ Delta Tau Delta/ Kappa ThetaDates: 1909-[at least 1968]Disaffiliation from national: 1946 (national in 1918)Sigma Delta Rho/Theta Xi/ Alpha Theta Xi Dates: 1909-1984Disaffiliation from national: 1958 (national in 1932)Theta Nu Epsilon [1885-1925] NON-FRATERNAL GREEK LETTER SOCIETIES (See: Clubs and Societies Collection) Delta Sigma Rho (honorary debating society, but not represented in Clubs and Societies Collection)Epsilon Pi Delta (non-secret honor society, members were selected as best all-around men, 1881-1908)Phi Beta Kappa (national honor society)Sigma Xi (science honor society) GREEK ALPHABET KEY: Α - AlphaΒ - BetaΓ - GammaΔ - DeltaΕ - EpsilonΖ - ZetaΗ - EtaΘ - ThetaΙ - IotaΚ - KappaΛ - LambdaΜ - MuΝ - NuΞ - XiΟ - OmicronΠ - PiΡ - RhoΣ - SigmaΤ - TauΥ - UpsilonΦ - PhiΧ - ChiΨ - PsiΩ - Omega
The materials in this collection have come from a wide variety of sources over time and items continue to be added. Where materials were received with evidence of original organization, such organization was maintained. In other instances, material was arranged by material type, subject or date.
Scope and Contents of the Collection Correspondence, reports, printed material, newspaper clippings, financial and business records, publications and other materials relating to fraternities at Amherst College.
Material may be added to the collection in the future.
The following restrictions to access apply to the Fraternities Collection: material less than 50 years old may be restricted; material containing information protected by privacy laws is restricted permanently; and particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.
Requests for permission to publish material from the Fraternities Collection should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.
Photograph Collection (photographs of fraternity members and events)Buildings and Grounds Collection (photographs and information about fraternity houses) Scrapbooks Collection (scrapbooks created by fraternities or of fraternity materials) Posters Collection (posters advertising fraternity events and fraternity placards)Amherst College bound memorabilia, volume #30 (volume of fraternity invitations, 1885-1899)Amherst College Oral History Project Records, 1978-1982Gibbs, Thomas W. III: oral history [videorecording] / interviewed by Karen H. Williams. Friends of the Library, 2010. Amherst College Library online catalog (published fraternity catalogs, histories and songbooks as well as student honors theses on the subject of fraternities) Objects Collection (fraternity pins, plaques and other memorabilia) Clubs and Societies Collection (Lord Jeffrey Amherst Club, anti-secret societies and non-fraternal Greek letter societies) Class Album Collection (5 fraternity albums)Amherst Dance Book Collection, 1880-1942 (includes programs from fraternity dances)President's Office Records, Office of General Secretary files, Fraternity Issue (1983-1984) (Acc. 85-091, 87-055) (access restricted)Committee on Campus Life Report on Fraternities, student letters (Acc. 86-097) (access restricted)Dean of Students, Fraternity Files (1980-1984) (Acc. 86-019) (access restricted)Treasurer's Office, Fraternities Files (1958-1984) (Acc. 84-021, 88-020) (access restricted) Frank Learoyd Boyden (AC 1902) Papers - Series 2, Phi Kappa Psi
Cutting, George Rugg, 1848-1903. Student life at Amherst College. Its organizations, their membership and history. Amherst : Hatch & Williams, 1871. [ FULL TEXT]
Greek letter societies -- Massachusetts -- Amherst.
lcsh
Amherst College -- Societies, etc.
lcnaf
Alpha Delta Phi. Amherst Chapter.
Beta Theta Pi. Amherst Chapter.
Chi Phi. Amherst Chapter.
Chi Psi. Amherst Chapter.
Delta Kappa Epsilon. Amherst Chapter.
Phi Delta Theta. Amherst Chapter.
Phi Gamma Delta. Amherst Chapter.
Phi Kappa Psi. Amherst Chapter.
series
Series 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
Creation of Series 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
Time of Creation of Series 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
Series 1 consists of material relevant to fraternities generally or to more than one fraternity. Included in this series are materials on fraternity business management, the debate about reopening fraternities after World War II, various studies and reports on the place of fraternities at the College and materials on the closing of fraternities in 1984. Many of these topics are also represented in the files of the individual fraternities. Of particular interest is the 1846 correspondence (largely composed of modern copies) between President Edward Hitchcock and the presidents of eight other institutions regarding their fraternities.
General
Abolition, final report of the Ac Hoc Trustee Committee on Campus Life 1984 Feb 21
Abolition, flyers and printed matter 1983-1984
Abolition, memo from Dean of Students 1983 Jan 26
Abolition, newspaper clippings, Amherst Student 1983-1984
Abolition, newspaper clippings 1983-1984
Abolition, renaming of former fraternity houses
Abolition, white paper, "The Place of Fraternities at Amherst College" (Julian H. Gibbs to the Board of Trustees) 1983 Feb 16
Agora, house presidents' council 1950
Bond Prize oration, "The Cost of National Fraternity Affiliation" by Walter Orr Roberts 1938 Jun 19
Business management, See also: house management 1936-1954
Correspondence, draft letter from Edward Hitchcock to College presidents 1845 Dec 9
Correspondence, Edward Everett to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 3
Correspondence, Thomas Wayland to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 3
Correspondence, Eliphalet Nott to Edward Hitchcock (transcript) 1846 Aug 6
Correspondence, Simeon North to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 6
Correspondence, Jonathan Day to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 7
Correspondence, Mark Hopkins to Edward Hitchcock (copies) 1838, 1846 Aug 8
Correspondence, Leonard Woods to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 12
Correspondence, James Carnahan to Edward Hitchcock (copy) 1846 Aug 12
Discrimination, "Discrimination and the Amherst Fraternity" by Ralph Young for The Amherst Student 1959 May
Discrimination, publications
Faculty advisor 1954
Fraternity statistics n.d.
Hazing
House management/ fraternity business manager papers c.1946-1956
House management/ fraternity business manager papers, development of fraternity business management 1932-1937
House management/ fraternity business manager papers, insurance survey of fraternity property 1951
House management/ fraternity business manager papers, house management committee notebook 1957-1962
[RESTICTED UNTIL 2012]
House management/ fraternity business manager papers, publications
House management committee 1951-1952
Insignia
Lottery houses
National Interfraternity Conference 1946 Nov
News clippings
Publications, "Documents relative to the Secret and Anti-secret Societies of Amherst College" 1854
Publications, various articles 1938-1956
Publications, "Fraternities at Amherst" 1949
Publications, "Amherst Social Organizations" 1950
Publications "The Fraternities/ The Lord Jeff Club" [1952]
Publications, "Fraternities at Amherst" 1962
Publications, "A Commentary on Student Life" 1965
Ratings 1918-1968
Record form n.d.
Report on their sanitary and fire condition 1909-1922
Report of the Committee to Restudy Fraternities at Amherst College, Amherst Student 1957 Oct 3
Report, memorandum to the trustees of Amherst College on the student life report from the subcommittee of the House Management Committee 1965
Report, College Council Fraternity Report 1970
Rules for shower n.d.
Rushing
Rushing policies 1940-42
Rushing, student council
Secret societies
See: Scrapbooks Collection, administrative scrapbooks, college memorabilia (secret societies), 1868-1876
Student finances
Student paper, "The Manufacture of Tradition: Amherst Fraternity Houses in the Progressive Era" by John A. Shope 1985 Dec 5
Symposia, "Fraternities in a Liberal Arts College" 1950 Feb 22
Trustee statement on fraternities 1966
World War II, reopening of fraternities after war
World War II, report of the Committee on Postwar Fraternities, The Fraternity Business Management of AC 1945
World War II, letter on continuation of fraternity traditions 1946
Series 2: ALPHA DELTA PHI
Series 2 is composed of the files of the Amherst chapter of Alpha Delta Phi. Of note is the extensive collection of student papers from student literary exercises held weekly at fraternity meetings. The papers provide a substantial record of the fraternity's literary activities from 1904-1955 and provide a fascinating window into student views, serious and silly, from those years. Other items of interest are an unusually complete record of fraternity president's correspondence from 1948-1958 and a file of examinations kept by fraternity members for their own reference.
General Material
Semi-centennial 1887
Centennial 1936
Class day/commencement week
Constitution 1839, 1936
Conventions 1856-1961
Convention reports
Correspondence 1842
Dances
Faculty receptions
Faculty teas
Guest book 1890-1928
Histories
History, David Torrey (AC1843) letter on history of chapter
History, copy of letter by Samuel Eels on formation n.d.
Iota Pi Kappa, merged with ADP c.1836
Library record book
Posters and publicity n.d.
Programs and invitations
Property
Publications/ printed material
Publications, chapter newsletters 1952-1953
Restricted material removed to box 47
Room plans 1941-1943
Songs and song books
Stationery
Theatrical performances
Administrative Records
Bylaws and minutes
Correspondence re: bills
Correspondence, President Case 1948-1949
Correspondence, President Beitzel 1949 Mar-Nov
Correspondence, President Balmos 1949-1950
Correspondence, President Miller 1950 Apr-Nov
Correspondence, President Longsworth 1950-1951
Correspondence, President Hindle (second folder of restricted material removed to box 47) 1951 Mar-Nov
Correspondence, President Vernon 1951-1952
Correspondence, President Evans 1952 Apr-Nov
Correspondence, President Cruikshank 1952-1953
Correspondence, President Powell 1953 May-Nov
Correspondence, President Gove 1953 Nov-1954 Apr
Correspondence, President Seasholes 1954 Apr-Dec
Correspondence, President Hall 1955 Nov-1956 Apr
Correspondence, President Vernon 1956 Apr-Nov
Correspondence, President Rothner 1956 Dec-1957 May
Correspondence, President Niehuss 1957 Apr-Dec
Correspondence, President Goddard 1957 Dec-1958 May
Correspondence of J. Alfred Guest, Assistant Clerk/ Assistant Secretary [one folder removed to restricted box 47, other folders restricted until 2016, 2019, 2021, 2032, 2033] 1946-1983
History project 1939-1940
House business [restricted until 2011] 1956-1961
House improvements 1939-1941
Important documents 1880-1894
Initiation speaker 1940
Miscellaneous
Missives, directives, etc. 1919-1948, n.d.
National fraternity
Officer's handbook 1958
Old bylaws
President's reports 1917-1919
Property transfer vote [restricted until 2011] 1961
Examination Files
Examinations, by subject [one folder removed to restricted box 47]
Financial Records
Account book 1870-1875
Account book 1875-1893
Account book 1876-1878
Account book 1878-1890
Account book [1901-1910]
Account book 1910-1917
Cash book 1916-1918
Cash book No. 1 n.d.
Cash book No. 2 1916-1922
Cash book No. 6 n.d.
Account book 1936-1937
Account book 1944-1958
Membership Records
Membership records 1879-1917
Initiation log 1885-1890
Personal record forms 1896-1932
Personal record forms 1932-1933
Personal record forms 1933-1948
Personal record forms 1960-1965
Minutes
History and minute book c.1835-1853
Minute book and membership list (1877-1924) 1877-1884
Board of directors minute book 1881-1935
Board of directors, items removed from minute book
Minute book [restricted until 2016] 1881-1966
Minute book 1884-1890
Minute book 1897-1899
Minute book 1899-1900
Minute book 1900-1901
Minute book 1901-1902
Minute book 1901-1903
Minute book 1904-1907
Minute book 1907-1910
Minute book 1910-1912
Minute book 1914-1917
Minute book 1917-1921
Minute book 1921-1924
Minute book 1924-1934
Minute book 1937-1970
Minute book 1948-1956
Student Papers
Debates 1912-1920, n.d.
National literary competition 1951-1952
National literary competition 1957-1958
Prizewinning productions 1931-1950
Unattributed authorship n.d.
Class of 1908, by student name 1904-1908
Class of 1909, by student name 1905-1909
Class of 1910, by student name 1906-19010
Class of 1911, by student name 1907-1911
Class of 1912, by student name 1908-1912
Class of 1913, by student name 1909-1913
Class of 1914, by student name 1910-1914
Class of 1915, by student name 1911-1915
Class of 1916, by student name 1912-1916
Class of 1917, by student name 1913-1917
Class of 1918, by student name 1914-1918
Class of 1919, by student name 1915-1919
Class of 1920, by student name 1916-1920
Class of 1921, by student name 1917-1921
Class of 1922, by student name 1918-1922
Class of 1923, by student name 1919-1923
Class of 1924, by student name 1920-1924
Class of 1925, by student name 1921-1925
Class of 1926, by student name 1922-1926
Class of 1927, by student name 1923-1927
Class of 1928, by student name 1924-1928
Class of 1929, by student name 1925-1929
Class of 1930, by student name 1926-1930
Class of 1931, by student name 1927-1931
Class of 1932, by student name 1928-1932
Class of 1933, by student name 1929-1933
Class of 1934, by student name 1930-1934
Class of 1935, by student name 1931-1935
Class of 1936, by student name 1932-1936
Class of 1937, by student name 1933-1937
Class of 1938, by student name 1934-1938
Class of 1939, by student name 1935-1939
Class of 1940, by student name 1936-1940
Class of 1941, by student name 1937-1941
Class of 1942, by student name 1938-1942
Class of 1943, by student name 1939-1943
Class of 1944, by student name 1940-1944
Class of 1945, by student name 1941-1945
Class of 1946, by student name 1942-1946
Class of 1947, by student name 1943-1947
Class of 1948, by student name 1944-1948
Class of 1949, by student name 1945-1949
Class of 1950, by student name 1946-1950
Class of 1951, by student name 1947-1951
Class of 1952, by student name 1948-1952
Class of 1953, by student name 1949-1953
Class of 1954, by student name 1950-1954
Class of 1955, by student name 1951-1955
Series 3: BETA THETA PI
Creation of Series 3: BETA THETA PI
Time of Creation of Series 3: BETA THETA PI
Beta Theta Pi
See also: Clubs and Societies collection, Torch and Crown (predecessor of Beta Theta Pi)
Annual Reports
Annual Reports of the Corresponding Secretary and various committees 1908-1949
Catalog and songs c.1870
Constitution, Amherst Chapter n.d.
Constitution 1879
Constitution 1881-1896
Constitution and laws 1912
Constitution and laws 1950, 1957
Constitution and laws 1957
Correspondence
Correspondence with national organization
Fraternity business managers file
Guest book 1897-1914
Guest book 1915-1955
House and property
House: architect contract 1914
House committees c. 1951
House: fire insurance policy 1904
House: mortgage 1913
Invitations
National audit 1957
National centenary 1939
National fraternity events
Officer's manual 1952-1954
Programs
Publications, The Mystic Messenger 1890
Roll of honor (includes Initiation Log, 1941) 1879-1894
Songs 1946, n.d.
Student essays
Title transfer to College 1961
Vice-President's book, programs for meetings 1912-1924
Cash book 1879-1901
Cash book 1902-1910
Ledger 1907-1910
Bank books 1909-1947
Cash book 1910-1912
Treasury book 1911-1914
Ledger 1913
Cash book 1913-1924
Account book 1914-1938
John V. B. Scarborough Fund 1924
Cash Book 1935-1941
Accounts book 1941
Steward's account book 1941-1942
Alumni lists n.d.
"Life Book" 1881-1892
Roll book I [1883]-1900
"Life Book" 1893-1896
Roll book II 1900-1919
Roll book III 1920-1934
Roll book IV 1935-1942
Roll book V 1941-1949
Roll book VI 1950-1960
Roll book VII 1960-1969
Minute book 1882-1892
Minute book 1885-1920
Minute book 1909-1916
Minute book 1939-1948
Minute book 1949-1950
Minutes 1950-1952
Minutes 1951-1957
Minutes 1960-1961
Series 4: CHI PHI
Series 4 consists of records of the Amherst chapter of Chi Phi. Of interest is an undated letter regarding a proposed new secret honor society at Amherst named "Sarcophagus."
Chi Phi
"Alpha's Book" 1963
Annual Reports 1940-1941
Appointment Cards
Auditor's Reports c.1935-1952
Bill to B. W. Edgerton
Bylaws
Bylaws and Annual Reports 1951-1957
Bylaws and Social Code 1952-1955
Constitution and Laws 1913
Correspondence 1906-1924, n.d.
Correspondence 1910-1924, n.d.
Dances: Butler and Ullman, rental of plants
Dances: Chaperones 1911
Dances: Letter from Smith College Warden re: attendance of students at dance 1926
Dances: Receipted Orchestra Bill
Dances: Correspondence re: Dance Bands
Dances: Round Robin Dance 1928
Dances: Invitations
Dances: Replies to Invitations
Engraved Card
Financial Records 1933-1936
Guest Book 1917-1936
James (Jimmy) Hamilton (AC1906) Fund, etc. [restricted until 2017] 1955-1967
History
History 1875-1890
History 1890-1902
History 1918-1922
House: Construction
House: Construction specifications n.d.
House: Contract for construction 1916
House: Fundraising
House: Fundraising pledges
House: Legal Documents
House: Sale of previous house
Initiation Banquet: expenses, report
Initiation: Hazing 1911
Initiation: Instructions to freshmen/ hazing
Letter re: Bill
Letter re: Student room rent
Librarian's Papers
Meetings of Directors 1939-1947
Petition to establish charter 1874
Pictures, Poem by Hamilton, Autograph
Pledging and initiation
Property transfer, alumni ballots 1955
Publications, local
Publications, national
Publications 1936-1951
Recommendation form
"Sarcophagus" n.d.
Scroll n.d.
Songs
Songbooks
Treasurer's Reports 1923-1952
Corporation - Letters and Reports 1902-1960
Corporation - Letters and Reports [restricted until 2032] 1960-1982
Corporate Record Book 1884-1950
Corporate Records 1924-1929
Corporate Records 1930-1939
Corporate Records 1940-1949
Corporate Records 1950-1953
Corporate Records 1954
Corporate Records 1955-1956
Corporate Records 1958-1959
Reports sent to national headquarters c.1913-1946
Reports sent to national headquarters 1946-1950
Reports sent to national headquarters 1950-1957
Reports sent to national headquarters 1957-1960
Reports sent to national headquarters [restricted until 2013] 1961-1963
Chapter register 1899-1932
Chapter register 1934-1960
Chapter register 1961-1963
Initiation log 1903-[1917]
Initiation log 1918-1926
Initiation log 1926-1933
Initiation log [1934]-1939
Initiation log 1940-1947
Initiation log 1948-1953
Initiation log 1953-1958
Initiation log 1959-1964
Minute Book 1880-1881
Minute Book 1881
Minute Book 1881-1885
Minute Book 1886-1895
Minute Book 1895-1903
Minute Book 1904-1912
Minute Book 1913-1921
Minute Book 1915-1916
Minutes 1925-1930
Minute Book 1933-1943
Minute Book 1952-1954
Minutes 1952-1957
Minutes 1957-1960
Series 5: CHI PSI/ DELTA CHI PSI
Series 5 is composed of the records of the Amherst chapter of Chi Psi, renamed Delta Chi Psi after its split with the national organization. Of interest is an extensive run of annual convention materials from 1872-1967 including local reports; an unusually large quantity of early correspondence; a sizable file of examinations kept by fraternity members and a large run of "Chaos," the publication of the Amherst Chi Psi chapter, from 1871-1913, many of which are handwritten and illustrated.
Chi Psi/ Delta Chi Psi
Agreement of association 1882
Blueprints of Whitridge Hall n.d.
Bylaws 1963
Constitution
Construction specifications 1922
Discrimination and voting procedure
"Hamilton Lemonade"
In Memoriam 1875, 1917
Initiation forms
Reminiscences of Bowdoin student days by C. P. Roberts 1910
Administrative Files
Bookwater, Clark, C. W. Johnson III 1956-1960
File of Dan Boone [folder 17 restricted until 2029] 1920-1979
"J. P. Brokaw" [restricted until 2013] 1953-1963
File of John P. Howe III [restricted until 2014 and 2015] 1951-1965
File of "J. B. Johnson, #1 and #4" 1957-1960
"Mallory, Kuglar, Neale" [restricted until 2011] 1960 May-1961 Jan
File of Kelliman Smith 1949-1951
File of Lloyd Snyder [restricted until 2015] 1958-1965
Miscellaneous papers [4 folders restricted until 2012 and 2016] 1909-1966
Reports 1957-1963
Conventions
Annual convention material 1872-1888, n.d.
Annual convention material [3 folders restricted until 2014, 2016 and 2017] 1890-1967
Correspondence n.d.
Correspondence 1864-1899, n.d.
Correspondence 1867-1890
Correspondence 1871-1900
Correspondence 1872 Sep-1873 Jun
Correspondence 1883 Mar-1886 Oct
Correspondence 1886 Nov-1887 Apr
Correspondence 1887 May-1900 Jun
Correspondence 1908-1910
Correspondence 1954-1955
Correspondence, R. E. Peary to Edwin A. Grosvenor (AC faculty 1891-1914)
Correspondence, Paul Welles (AC1908) 1907-1908, n.d.
Examinations, by subject
Notes and notebooks
Restricted examinations removed to box 47
Financial Materials
Annual budgets and financial reports
Budget [restricted until 2014] 1958-1964
Finance manual
Financial documents
Financial materials [restricted until 2016] 1965-1966
Treasurer's papers [restricted until 2016] 1890-1966
Minute Book 1879-1889
Minute Book 1884-1885
Minute Book 1885-1886
Minute Book 1888-1891
Minute Book 1891-1894
Minute Book 1940-1949
Publications
Publications, "Alpha Chi Chronicle"
Publications, "Chaos" 1871-1913, n.d.
Publications, "The Purple and Gold," 1950, 1966, 2004
Series 6: DELTA KAPPA EPSILON
Creation of Series 6: DELTA KAPPA EPSILON
Time of Creation of Series 6: DELTA KAPPA EPSILON
Delta Kappa Epsilon
Annual convention 1875
Basic documents c.1884-1965
Bylaws, minutes, deeds, property transfer [restricted until 2016] 1961-1966
Centennial and Semi centennial 1897, 1947
Certificate of incorporation
Corporate dissolution [restricted until 2021] 1970-1971
Correspondence c.1937-1948
Correspondence re: resignation of Charles Morgan as agent 1942
Correspondence, incoming 1949-1950
Correspondence [restricted until 2018] 1968
Correspondence [restricted until 2019] 1969
Fraternity Business Management Correspondence 1937-1946
Journals
Membership book
Membership list c.1884
Miscellaneous [restricted until 2023] 1937-1973, n.d.
Poem, "This Room"
Poster
Programs and Invitations
Publications, The Sigma Scroll
Record books damaged by fire
Student papers
Alfred Lumley's faculty advisor file 1957-1960
Building: contracts, insurance, etc. c.1948-1949
Correspondence of clerk [restricted until 2013] c.1946-1963
File of Richard King, corp. agent [restricted until 2017] 1962-1967
"Lists and letters" 1951-1954
Fraternity business management and house management committee c.1948-1950
Miscellaneous business papers [restricted until 2012] 1953-1962
Property transfer [restricted until 2013] 1961-1963
Accounts 1936-1943
Accounts Receivable Book 1913-1920
Bank accounts and statements [restricted until 2022] 1956-1972
Bank statements 1936-1952
Bills [restricted until 2020] 1967-1970
Building funds c.1950
Check book [restricted until 2021] 1962-1971
Correspondence re: dues 1946
Correspondence of Frederick Thompson, treasurer 1927-1931
Financial materials
Fundraising 1952-1953
Fundraising [restricted until 2020] 1965-1970
Improvement fund [restricted until 2018] 1963-1968
Ledger 1914-1920
"Paid bills" 1938-1946
"Paid bills" c.1948-1950
Taxes c.1944
Tax returns and annual reports [restricted until 2021] 1962-1971
Treasurer's reports [restricted until 2021] 1963-1971
Tree-planting fund 1938-1939
Undergraduate budget
Undergraduate loans 1935-1946
Minute book 1846-1856
Minute book 1886-1891
Minute book 1891-1896
Minute book 1911-1920
Minute book 1920-1928
Minute book 1928-1934
Minutes, reports and letters 1942-1961
Series 7: PHI DELTA THETA/ PHI DELTA SIGMA
Creation of Series 7: PHI DELTA THETA/ PHI DELTA SIGMA
Time of Creation of Series 7: PHI DELTA THETA/ PHI DELTA SIGMA
Series 7 is composed of records from the Amherst Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, renamed Phi Delta Sigma after its split with the national organization in 1953.
Ledger 1888-1889
Ledger 1891-1896
Ledger 1894-1906
Ledger 1894-1928
Ledger 1896-1898
Ledger 1898-1900
Ledger c.1900-1906
Ledger 1911-1912
Loomis Memorial Fund account book 1938-1940
Minute book 1942-1951
Minutes 1951-1956
Minutes [restricted until 2011] 1957-1961
Minutes [restricted until 2011] 1959-1961
Series 8: PHI GAMMA DELTA/ PHI GAMMA CHI
Creation of Series 8: PHI GAMMA DELTA/ PHI GAMMA CHI
Time of Creation of Series 8: PHI GAMMA DELTA/ PHI GAMMA CHI
Series 8 consists of the records of the Amherst chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, renamed Phi Gamma Chi after its suspension from membership in the national organization over issues of racial discrimination in 1958. Of particular note is the extensive documentation of the trial of the local chapter by the national fraternity and the surrounding correspondence and press coverage.
Phi Gamma Delta/ Phi Gamma Chi
Certificate
Chapter house manual
Constitution 1914
Contracts, etc. [restricted until 2026] 1970-1976
Coolidge, Calvin, framed check to
Correspondence, general [6 folders restricted until 2013-2020] 1963-1970, n.d.
Guest book 1901-1928
Guest book 1953-1954
Guest book 1972-1983
House business [restricted until 2025] 1971-1975
House business management 1953-1955
Initiation log 1958-1984
Miscellaneous [1 folder restricted until 2033] 1917-1983
Programs and Invitations (2 folders)
Publications, "The Fijistine"
Social file [restricted until 2024] 1970-1974, n.d.
"Truehoods of the Gam" [restricted until 2028] 1975-1978, n.d.
See also: Amherst College Catalog for books removed from Phi Gamma Delta library
See also: Poster Collection
Administrative material [restricted until 2025 and 2033] 1971-1983
Corporate records [restricted until 2016] 1961-1966
Corporation - Records, Transcripts, Correspondence
Correspondence 1953-1955
Miscellaneous communications and reports [restricted until 2012] 1957-1962
President's files [restricted until 2022] 1972
President's file: Fiji Engines, Inc. correspondence [restricted until 2016] 1961-1966
Reports and papers
Transfer of property to Amherst College [restricted until 2017] 1961-1967
Treasurer correspondence [restricted until 2014] 1964
Trustees of Alpha Chi chapter, general [restricted until 2013] 1960-1963
Trustees of Alpha Chi chapter [restricted until 2017] 1965-1967
Trustees of Alpha Chi, Golden Head Campaign [restricted until 2012] 1961-1962
Trustees of Alpha Chi, president 1963-1965
Trustees of Alpha Chi, presidents: finances 1963-1965
Trustees of Alpha Chi, treasurer: "60 x 60" 1954-1960
Trustees of Alpha Chi, treasurer: defense fund 1958-1959
Account book 1903-1917
Donation cards
Financial records
Financial statements
Maintenance bills 1974-1975
Maintenance budget
Members' accounts (dues and accounts receivable)
Savings account
Social bills 1974-1975
Social budget
Constitution and minute book 1894-1897, 1978, n.d.
Minute book 1895-1899
Trustee minute book 1896-1901
Minute book 1899-1905
Trustee minute book [restricted until 2014] 1903-1964
Minute book 1905-1912
Minute book 1912-1920
Minute book 1920-1930
Minute book 1930-1935
Minutes and records [restricted until 2014] 1957-1964
Trustee minute book [restricted until 2020] 1965-1970
Minutes [restricted until 2018] c.1968
Minutes and records [restricted until 2028] 1975-1978
Suspension from National Fraternity
"Trial of Alpha Chi
1. Important papers re problems of discrimination and revocation of charter"
2. Bylaws of Alpha Chi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta"
3. Constitution and acts of the Ekklesia for trail at 110th Ekklesia (1958)"
4. Correspondence and documents"
5. Official reports relating to discrimination"
6. Correspondence from other chapters"
7. Correspondence from other chapters"
8. Miscellaneous papers relating to the trial of Alpha Chi"
Local files
Correspondence [1 folder restricted until 2012] 1956-1962
Additional and duplicate materials relating to suspension from national fraternity
Phi Kappa Psi/ Phi Alpha Psi
Series 9: PHI KAPPA PSI/ PHI ALPHA PSI
Creation of Series 9: PHI KAPPA PSI/ PHI ALPHA PSI
Time of Creation of Series 9: PHI KAPPA PSI/ PHI ALPHA PSI
Series 9 is composed of the records of the Amherst Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, renamed Phi Alpha Psi after its split with the national organization over issues of racial discrimination in 1948. Of interest is the extensive documentation of the conflict with the national fraternity over racial discrimination and the surrounding correspondence, press coverage and trial material. This was the first instance of a local fraternity challenging its national on the topic of discrimination to gain national attention and the papers reflect the level of national interest (supportive and not) in the events at Amherst.
Administrative material 1956-1959
Administrative material [restricted until 2013] 1957-1963
Administrative material [restricted until 2015] 1958-1965
Administrative material [restricted until 2013] 1962-1963
Administrative material 1964-1969
Blueprint
Bylaw amendment 1963
Committee reports 1931-1942
Correspondence 1944-1946, 1949
Correspondence 1945-1948
Correspondence 1946-1948
Correspondence 1957-1960
Correspondence [restricted until 2011] 1960-1961
Correspondence [restricted until 2012] 1961-1962
Correspondence [restricted until 2013] 1962-1963
Dissolution of fraternity [restricted until 2021] 1965-1971
Floor plan 1969 Jan
History of Fraternity Pipe
House Management Committee Notebook
Initiation 1958-1964
Minute book 1915-1922
Minute book 1922-1929
Minute book 1929-1937
Minute book 1937-1950
Minute book 1950-1955
Minute book 1955-1960
President's letters 1960-1962
Publications and annual letters 1940-1956
Publications, "Massaphan," 1921-1962
Publication, "The Phi Psi Letter" (war correspondence and news) 1944-1945
Reading course
Record book 1926-1932
Rushing 1962
Rushing, non-selectivity
Social committee
Student literary works
Treasurer's summer letters 1957-1964
Anti-Discrimination Case/ Disaffiliation from National Fraternity
General (formerly "racial question") 1948-1949
Atlantic Monthly article by Alfred Romer, responses
Outgoing correspondence
Correspondence in response to chapter letter
Correspondence from other Amherst College fraternities
Correspondence from other Phi Kappa Psi chapters
Correspondence with national fraternity
Correspondence, President Cole, incoming
Correspondence, Randolph Gilman
Correspondence, supportive, from fraternities and student councils
Correspondence, unsupportive
Legal case
Legal case, correspondence
Offers of membership in other fraternities
Press clippings, radio scripts, telegrams
Press clippings, collected by Randolph Gilman
Printed matter
Series 10: OTHER FRATERNITIES, 1830-1986
Series 10 includes materials from Amherst College fraternities with smaller physical presence in the collection. Fraternities represented in this series are: Alpha Sigma Phi Chi Delta Theta Delta Upsilon Delta Tau Delta/ Kappa Theta Delta Upsilon Kappa Sigma Theta Psi Upsilon Sigma Delta Alpha Theta Delta Chi/ Theta Delta Theta Nu Epsilon Theta Xi/ Alpha Theta Xi Zeta Psi
Alpha Sigma Phi
General 1857-1928, n.d.
Petition for establishment of chapter at Amherst c.1847-1848
Chi Delta Theta
Minute book 1830-1845
Constitution 1830-1845
Delta Kappa
Constitution, minutes 1855-1866
Catalog of members (Amherst and Yale) 1856-1866
OK Society
See: Alpha Delta Phi history folder
Delta Tau Delta/ Kappa Theta
Franklin D. Sanders, trustee notes and minutes [restricted until 2031; one additional folder removed to restricted box 47] 1967-1981
Thornton Retirement Fund
Delta Upsilon
Minutes book 1899-1947
Publication, Catalogue of the Anti-Secret Confederation 1856, 1859
Epsilon Pi Delta
See: Clubs and Societies Collection
Iota Pi Kappa
See: Alpha Delta Phi
Kappa Sigma Theta
Petition for establishment of chapter c. 1846-1847
Phi Beta Kappa
Psi Upsilon
Minute book 1942-1943
Reminisces, M. Bradford, AC 1860
Songs of Psi Upsilon
Sigma Delta Alpha
Minutes 1863-1867
Sigma Xi
Theta Delta Chi/ Theta Delta
Administrative material [restricted until 2036] 1951-1986
Business Matters 1921
Invitations and Programs
Minutes 1933-1961
Theta Nu Epsilon
Theta Xi/ Alpha Theta Xi (previously Sigma Delta Rho)
Sigma Delta Rho
Theta Xi, General
Theta Xi, Publications, Torch
Alpha Theta Xi
Zeta Psi