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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The undersigned members of Alpha Phi Fraternity apply to the State of Iowa with the intent to form Delta Epsilon Chapter House Corporation.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Feb 28th, 1961
This clipping features a photograph of Founder Clara Bradley Burdette after speaking at a women's club district convention.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Apr 9th, 1933
This program includes the banquet's menu and a list of toasts.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 28th, 1904
Melchert writes the 1973 Field Secretaries and provides updates on the recent work of each.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Nov 13th, 1973
Betty Loveland Heinze writes about an autograph book that belonged to her grandfather, Edwin Nottingham, and about his close relationship with the original seven Founders of Alpha Phi Fraternity, including Clara Bradley Wheeler Baker Burdette. The referenced autograph book is also part of the collection.
Collection: Object Collection
Date: Aug 10th, 2000
This article describes Planned Parenthood's upcoming gift market fundraiser and includes a photograph of the preparations.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Sep 25th, 1975
Alpha Chapter alumni Bertha Holden Gilbert declines Eta Chapter's invitation to attend an event and recollects her recent travels with her family.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1922
Alpha Chapter alumna Bertha Holden Gilbert describes her recent travels and expresses her desire to attend this year's chapter reunion.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jan 9th, 1885
Alpha Chapter alumna Bertha Holden Gilbert expresses her sadness at the loss of several Fraternity alumnae and describes her recent travels.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 4th, 1885
Bessie Barnes writes to the Beta Chapter regarding the new members of the Gamma Chapter and chapter life at the Gamma Chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Apr 9th, 1888
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 18th, 1907
Members of Beta Chapter announce they will not be able to attend the Alpha Chapter House Dedication Ceremony in Syracuse, New York. A copy of this item is located in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jan 25th, 1887
Members of Beta Chapter announce they will not be able to attend the Alpha Chapter House Dedication Ceremony in Syracuse, New York. A copy of this item is located in the collection.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jan 25th, 1887
This scrapbook presents several reproduction photographs and documents that tell the story of the founding of Alpha Phi and its early history. It was assembled by Edith Loveland for Beta Epsilon Chapter, with instructions for creating their own chapter memorabilia collection.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: 1958
This page contains a document written by Founder Kate Gilbert describing the founding of Alpha Phi and her experience at Syracuse University.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: 1892
This page contains the story of the founding of Alpha Phi as shared by Founder Martha Foote Crow.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: Oct 16th, 1897
This page contains a letter from Edith Loveland to Charlotte Foster regarding chapter memorabilia books.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: May 16th, 1958
This page contains four reproduction photographs of the first Alpha Chapter House.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: 1958
This page contains a reminiscence about the Alpha Chapter house written by Jennie Thorburn Sanford.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: 1958
This page contains a brief history of the Alpha Phi Quarterly.
Collection: Beta Epsilon Chapter Scrapbook Collection
Date: 1958