Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs, 1918-1963

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gamma Phi Beta. Chi Chapter (Oregon State University)
Title
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs
Dates
1918-1963 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 cubic foot, including 6 photographs, (1 oversize box)
Collection Number
P 277
Summary
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.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

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.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

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.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Gamma Phi Beta Sorority Photographs (P 277), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

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 Memorabilia Collection. Photographs of this and other sorority houses are part of Harriet's Collection and the Smith-Western Company Photographs (P 164). The Panhellenic Council Records (RG 056) document the origins, administration, and activities of sororities at Oregon State University.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Greek letter societies--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Women--Oregon--Corvallis--Societies and clubs.

Corporate Names

  • Oregon Agricultural College--Students.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints.