Centre During the Age of Lincoln
Exhibition Designed by Anastasia Knight, Class of 2003
Student Organizations
 | Agore Adelphon Diploma This diploma belonged to James Leaper Griffith, class of 1856. |
 | Chamberlain Society Diploma This diploma belonged to James Foster Barbour, class of 1864. |
 | 1865 Literary Society Program The literary societies came together for an annual celebration on George Washington’s birthday for a program comparable to today’s convocations. Each society would elect a member to represent the society by giving a prepared speech in front of the student body. |
Student organizations of this time period were literary in nature and concerned with debate and morality. They took two forms: the literary societies and the fraternities. Each organization had symbols, badges, officers, and a formalized protocol.
The literary societies began in 1828 with the founding of the Chamberlain Philosophical and Literary Society, named for the second president of the college, Jeremiah Chamberlain. The Deinologian Literary Society was founded in 1835. The Athenaean Literary Society was an offshoot of the Deinologian but died out shortly after the Civil War. The Agore Adelphon was a short-lived literary society that existed between 1855 and 1857.
Three social fraternities existed on campus during this time: Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and Alpha Kappa Phi. Alpha Kappa Phi is featured in this exhibit because some of its records and mementoes of this particular time period have been preserved in the college's archives.
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Alpha Kappa Phi Principles
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Alpha Kappa Phi Incorporation Papers, 1860
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