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Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs, 1918-1963

By Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen.

Collection Overview

Title: Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs, 1918-1963

ID: P 277

Primary Creator: Gamma Phi Beta. Chi Chapter (Oregon State University)

Extent: 0.25 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs consist of images of the sorority's members and houses in Corvallis, Oregon. The Oregon State chapter of Gamma Phi Beta was established in 1915 as a local club and became a chapter of the national sorority in 1918.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Scope and Content Notes

The Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs include two images of the sorority's members and four images of the sorority's houses in Corvallis. Oregon. The photographs of the sorority's members include a 1918 group photograph of the members on the steps of their house and a print comprised of individual portrait images of the Class of 1918 members of the sorority. Both of these images are in original period frames and most of the women are identified.

The images of the sorority's houses depict the group's first house at 15th and Adams; the Kline House at 244 South Fourth Street (Fourth and Jefferson); and the Foster House at 238 South Eighth Street (Eighth and Jefferson), which was purchased by the sorority in 1920. This house was remodeled and enlarged in 1936 and the address changed to 811 Jefferson Street. It was sold in 1961 and currently houses the OSU Center for the Humanities. The collection includes images of this house before and after the 1936 remodel.

Images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.

Biographical / Historical Notes

The Oregon State University chapter of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority was founded in 1915 as the Beta Tau Beta Club in Waldo Hall, the residence hall for women. It became one of the first local sororities at Oregon Agricultural College in 1916. Two years later, in 1918, the sorority affiliated with the Gamma Phi Beta national organization and became the Chi Chapter. The Oregon State chapter disbanded in 1997.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 6 photographs; 1 oversize box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The photographs were donated to the Archives in 2009 by an Oregon State alumna who was a member of the sorority.

Related Materials: Additional information about Gamma Phi Beta is available in the OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC). Photographs of this and other sorority houses are part of Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC) and the Smith-Western Company Photographs of Oregon State College (P 164). The Panhellenic Council Records (RG 056) document the origins, administration, and activities of sororities at Oregon State University.

Preferred Citation: Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs (P 277), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Gamma Phi Beta. Chi Chapter (Oregon State University)

People, Places, and Topics

Gamma Phi Beta. Chi Chapter (Oregon State University)
Greek letter societies--Oregon--Corvallis.
Oregon Agricultural College--Students.
University History
Women--Oregon--Corvallis--Societies and clubs.

Forms of Material

Photographic prints.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.