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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This program includes the schedule for the weekend, the menu for the banquet, a song sheet, and a list of the jubilee committee as well as a narrative about the founding of Alpha Phi and the first chapter house.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Sep 26th, 1947 - Sep 27th, 1947
Alpha Chapter member Martha Belle Churchill describes the history of Alpha Phi's founding at Syracuse University and outlines the organization's current goals and functions. The article also includes a photograph of the Alpha Chapter house.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 1896
Alpha Chapter member Martha Belle Churchill describes the history of Alpha Phi's founding at Syracuse University and outlines the organization's current goals and functions. The article also includes two photographs of the Alpha Chapter house.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Mar 1896
This essay, written by Founder Clara Bradley Burdette in celebration of Alpha Phi's 75th anniversary, tell the story of the Fraternity's founding and early days.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1947
This article describes the recent Alpha Chapter House rededication ceremony and lists the guests in attendance.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1920 - 1929
This lyric sheet features "All Together" and was used at an unknown Alpha Chapter event.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 2nd, 1891
This program for the 1927 Alpha Chapter Reunion Fly-Away Banquet features a list of toasts and a menu.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 10th, 1927
This article provides information about the upcoming Syracuse Alumni Chapter Founders' Day event. The article also lists the Chapter's newly appointed committee chairmen.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: 1950 - 1959
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: May 1st, 1954
This drawing depicts the Alpha Chapter house living room in Syracuse, New York. This house is recognized as the first chapter house in Alpha Phi Fraternity.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This list features the names of current Alpha Phi members organized by collegiate chapter.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This article discusses the installation of Eta Epsilon Chapter at Villanova University. This article includes three photographs from the installation.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
These notes about Alpha Phi symbols and mottos were written by Founder Martha Foote Crow.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date:
This program for the 1947 Alpha Phi Diamond Jubilee Banquet features a list of speakers and a menu.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Sep 27th, 1947
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Jun 26th, 1890
This article lists the recipients of various Foundation scholarships. Photographs of the majority of the women are included.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
This video narrated by Diane Spry Straker advertises the Alpha Phi Foundation and highlights its programming in cardiac care events, scholarships, and the Forget-Me-Not fund. The video also includes testimonials from Linda Gardner Massie, Linda Groves, Jean Cameron Hahm, and Lena Quist Homburg.
Collection: Audio-Visual Collection
Date:
The Foundation acknowledges donations on behalf of new babies and new initiates received between March 21-June 1, 1987.
Collection: Publications
Date: 1987
Alpha Phi Alumnae Vice President Martha Watkins Mast gave this speech honoring the Fraternity founders over the grave of Founder Kate Hogoboom Gilbert during the centennial celebrations.
Collection: Archive Collection
Date: Oct 10th, 1972