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National History of Theta Chi

Frederick Norton Freeman
Frederick Norton Freeman '57
The Old South Barracks Norwich University
The Old South Barracks Norwich University
Arthur Chase ‘56
Arthur Chase ‘56

Theta Chi Society, as it was then known, was founded at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, at nine o'clock on Thursday evening, April 10, 1856. At that time Frederick Norton Freeman '57, and Arthur Chase '56, met in Freeman's room in the Old South Barracks of the University and, to quote from the minutes of the first meeting, "being called to order by Mr. Chase, Messrs. Chase and Freeman mutually took the oaths prescribed and declared each other true and accepted members of the Theta Chi Society." From this humble beginning Theta Chi Fraternity has grown to its present status.

To quote again from the minutes of the first meeting we learn that, "The Theta Chi Society was the idea and plan of Frederick Norton Freeman, and with the assistance of Arthur Chase, his plans were perfected and the society was organized." Chase was elected president and Freeman was elected secretary. The next evening, April 11, the first initiation was conducted. One of the initiates was Edward Bancroft Williston of San Diego, California, and the other was Lorenzo Potter of Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

Freeman and Chase, together with Egbert Phelps, ex-'56, had been planning the organization of the society for more than two years prior to April 10, 1856. Phelps left Norwich in 1854 and entered Union College where he joined Chi Psi Fraternity, which was founded there in 1841. However, Phelps kept in contact with Freeman and helped so much with his advice and suggestions that it was felt he should be credited, at the least, with being the "assistant founder" of Theta Chi. It was Phelps who suggested the name of the Society and designed the first badge which was virtually the same as the official badge used today.

Theta Chi was the first Greek Letter society to make its appearance at Norwich. It was preceded in 1853 by a secret society known as the "Regulators." The connection between the Regulators and Theta Chi is open to debate. It is known that Egbert Phelps was an officer of The Regulators in 1854. Frederick Norton Freeman was also a Regulator, and when the Regulators passed out of existence in 1855, practically all of the paraphernalia of this organization passed into the possession of Theta Chi Society.

The early history of Theta Chi Fraternity is closely connected with the history of Norwich University. The University was founded at Norwich, Vermont, in 1819 being then known as The American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy. It was a pioneer engineering college of the country and has always maintained its military training and traditions. In 1834 the name was changed to Norwich University. On March 13, 1866, the Old South Barracks, where Theta Chi was founded, was completely destroyed by fire. It is reasonable to believe that some of the early records and relics of the Fraternity were lost at this time. The University moved after the fire to Northfield, Vermont, its present location. At the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Convention the Fraternity erected a granite monument with a bronze plaque at Norwich, Vermont, to commemorate the founding of the Fraternity.

In the first decade of the Fraternity's existence a number of serious handicaps were experienced. The Civil War, the fire, and the uncertainty regarding the continuation of the University seriously lowered the attendance, and the school opened in the Fall of 1866 with only nineteen students. In spite of the low enrollment, which continued for some years, they were able to keep the fraternity going even up until 1881, when the student body of Norwich was reduced to a dozen men, and Theta Chi found itself with one active member. This critical situation was relieved when local alumni worked with the undergraduate member, James M. Holland, '83, in pledging and initiating Phil S. Randall, '86, and Henry B. Hersey, '85, thus preserving the existence of the Fraternity.

After 1888 the affairs of the University took a decided turn for the better. Beta Chapter was established at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston, Massachusetts on December 13, 1902. The history of the Fraternity is a history of steady growth of a chapter both in general strength and in members. Alpha Chapter prospered at Norwich until 1960, when the University trustees voted to abolish fraternities at the campus. But with the establishment of Beta Chapter, a new era opened for Theta Chi; an era of country-wide expansion, national organization and stable administration. Although hindered by a serious depression and two world wars, Theta Chi has grown, and prospered beyond the dreams of the Founders, to the position it now holds in the national fraternity scene.

At the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Convention held at Northfield, Vermont, in 1931, the Fraternity placed suitably marked granite memorials at the grave of Freeman near Plainfield, New Hampshire, and the grave of Chase in Claremont, New Hampshire.

The fundamentals of the organization, as expressed in the original constitution, to this day remain unchanged. Our present ritual includes the original ritual used in 1856. The oaths taken by Freeman and Chase on that April evening long ago have since been shared by every man initiated into Theta Chi.

Chapter History of Beta Eta

The Beta Eta Chapter was installed here at Washington College on March 2, 1940. It was the 53rd chapter installed by Theta Chi Fraternity. It has survived the last 68 years and continues to be recognized by Washington College, the Chestertown Community, and the National Headquarters.

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