The story of the founding of Alpha Chapter is also that of the beginning of Alpha Phi International Fraternity. From the first expression of their mutual need for “a circle of friends who could sympathize with one another,” our Founders envisioned that the circle would embrace far flung campuses. Among those 20 women entering Syracuse in the fall of 1872, there were six freshmen, three sophomores and a junior who became the Founders of Alpha Phi. They were the Original Ten. These Syracuse University women believed that their idea of a women's fraternity was original and that theirs would be the first college women's society. They were unaware that the same idea had occurred to four women at DePauw who founded Kappa Alpha Theta in January of 1870. Three months later the four founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma at Monmouth College in Illinois likewise believed themselves the originators of the first Greek letter college women's fraternity. While not the first women’s fraternity, Alpha Phi provided a sense of community , respect and camaraderie for its members, much as it continues to do today. On September 30, 1872 at the home of Ida Gilbert, with a ritual, symbols and a pledge, The Original Ten founded Alpha of Alpha Phi. For twelve years, the members of Alpha Chapter used a suite of rooms in which to have their meetings. Then, in 1884 Alpha moved to a rented house near the university. In 1886, they purchased land with the intention of building a house. They secured a first mortgage from a bank and an Alpha Phi father lent them money for a second mortgage. A contractor was hired and in January 1887, the members dedicated their new chapter house. For years to come Baird's Manual held Alpha Phi in high regard because they had financed the first chapter house and were in possession of real property at a time where that was less common for women.
Sep 18th, 1872
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Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
This program for the Alumni Association of Syracuse University's 1903 Annual Luncheon features a toast list, lyrics to the "University Song," and a list of officers.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 9th, 1903
This clipping from the Syracuse University Alumni News features a photograph of eight unidentified alumni of Syracuse University's class of 1876 and articles about that classes recent reunion.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 1926 - Jul 1926
This article features a photograph of Phi Chapter alumna and 1951 Amelia Earhart Scholarship winner Rose Marie Pratt speaking at the 1953 Syracuse Zonta Amelia Earhart Dinner.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jan 8th, 1953
This ornament commemorates America's first sorority house: Alpha Chapter's house built at 207 University Place in Syracuse, New York, in 1886.
Collection: Alpha Phi Digitization Days Collection
Date:
This drawing depicts the Alpha Chapter house in Syracuse, New York in the year 1886. This house is recognized as the first chapter house in Alpha Phi Fraternity. A copy of this drawing is located in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1976
This drawing depicts the Alpha Chapter house in Syracuse, New York in the year 1886. This house is recognized as the first chapter house in Alpha Phi Fraternity. A copy of this drawing is located in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1976
This information sheet provides a brief timeline of Alpha Phi Fraternity's first chapter house in Syracuse, New York, from 1886-1962.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1976
This information sheet explains the significance of a drawing of Alpha Chapter house by Judith Isely.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1976
This article describes Founder Clara Bradley Burdette's fundraising efforts to restore a local fire-damaged amphitheater. This clipping also includes a portrait photograph of Clara.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This essay ponders the type of university education a woman should pursue.
Collection: Delta Mu Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date:
This article features a photograph of Founder Clara Bradley Burdette during her trip to Victoria, British Columbia.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This biography card features information about Alpha Chapter alumna Anna Grace Wirt's birth, family, and college career.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
The Alpha Chapter House Fund Committee announces the purchase of Francis E. Bacon's home on Walnut Street in Syracuse, New York. A copy of this document is included in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1910
The Alpha Chapter House Fund Committee announces the purchase of Francis E. Bacon's home on Walnut Street in Syracuse, New York.This is a copy of the original document.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1910
Collection: Publications
Date:
This program for the 1921 Alpha Chapter Initiation Banquet features a menu, toast list, and list of initiates.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 4th, 1921
This invitation to the 1905 Alpha Chapter Initiation features a menu and names of the new members.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Nov 17th, 1905
This information sheet explains the significance of a drawing of Alpha Chapter house by Judith Isely. A copy of the drawing and a letter from the artist Judy Isely are also located in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1976