Original Kappa Sigma House (1917-1935)
The Beginning
Chi Gamma Epsilon began as the fraternal organization Beta Gamma in 1904. There were eleven founding members. In 1905, Beta Gamma was given national status as the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma at Dartmouth College. From 1914 to 1916, the brothers raised enough money to build a small wooden house in an empty lot at 7 Webster Avenue. At the Cornell-Dartmouth Game in 1925, Kappa Sigma alumni and students gathered around for the burning of the mortgage used to build the house. The house was razed in 1935 for need of a larger structure as it only accommodated twelve men and had fallen into disrepair. The fundraising pamphlet for the new house claimed that the boards on the front porch couldn't be nailed down because "the joists under the porch are all rotting away."
Chi Gamma Epsilon began as the fraternal organization Beta Gamma in 1904. There were eleven founding members. In 1905, Beta Gamma was given national status as the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Kappa Sigma at Dartmouth College. From 1914 to 1916, the brothers raised enough money to build a small wooden house in an empty lot at 7 Webster Avenue. At the Cornell-Dartmouth Game in 1925, Kappa Sigma alumni and students gathered around for the burning of the mortgage used to build the house. The house was razed in 1935 for need of a larger structure as it only accommodated twelve men and had fallen into disrepair. The fundraising pamphlet for the new house claimed that the boards on the front porch couldn't be nailed down because "the joists under the porch are all rotting away."
A Winter Carnival Sculpture
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Further, throughout the 1930s, the house corporation built up a considerable surplus of $10,000 ($172,000 in 2019) through the hard work of Ives Atherton '24 and Gil Tapley. However, the new construction was estimated to cost around $45,000. Through an aggressive fundraising campaign, they were able to raise nearly $20,000 from alumni and take out a loan for around $15,000 to cover the expenses.
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The original plans for the updated House
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Old Picture of Current House (1937-Current)
Since then, the house has been regularly updated to continue housing undergraduates at Dartmouth.
From Kappa Sigma to Chi Gamma Epsilon
In 1981, Kappa Sigma became a local fraternity due to a dispute with the national organization and changed its name from Kappa Sigma to Kappa Sigma Gamma. In 1987, after facing pressure to change their name from Kappa Sigma's national representation, and hoping to further separate the house and the national organization, the brothers held an election to change the name. In between the deliberation period, the house was known as 7 Webster Ave. On March 31, 1987, the brothers voted to change the name to the current Chi Gamma Epsilon, retaining the Gamma Epsilon chapter name from Kappa Sigma.
In 1981, Kappa Sigma became a local fraternity due to a dispute with the national organization and changed its name from Kappa Sigma to Kappa Sigma Gamma. In 1987, after facing pressure to change their name from Kappa Sigma's national representation, and hoping to further separate the house and the national organization, the brothers held an election to change the name. In between the deliberation period, the house was known as 7 Webster Ave. On March 31, 1987, the brothers voted to change the name to the current Chi Gamma Epsilon, retaining the Gamma Epsilon chapter name from Kappa Sigma.
The 115th
In the Fall of 2019, Chi Gamma Epsilon will enter its 115th year in operation.
In the Fall of 2019, Chi Gamma Epsilon will enter its 115th year in operation.
