College of William and Mary - Colonial Echo Yearbook (Williamsburg, VA)

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tj tc s cttt; This design depicts one of the earliest Phi Beto Kappa keys. The Raleigh Tovern, where early Phi Beta Kappa meetings were held, still stonds in Colonial Williamsburg. 6 PHI BETA KAPPA

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w ? « hallotajcti rooms! Colonial Virginians such as Peyton Randolph and Lord Botetourt have been buried there. Except for its brief period as the assennbly place for the ruling leaders of Colonial Virginia, the Wren Building served as the edu- cational center of the college, until the Revolutionary War. For a short time in 1781, the French Arnny used the building as a hospital. During this time, the Wren Building was again partially destroyed by fire. This was not to be the last of the disasters to strike the college, as in 1859, fire again caused great damage. The building had been destroy- ed by a fire caused by Federal sol- diers in 1862. During the war years prior to this, it was used in such varied capacities as a Confederate barracks and a Union hospital. The building was restored in 1928 and soon thereafter was given the name the Sir Christopher Wren Building . Located at the entrance to the campus, the Wren Building ser- ved during the ' 76 celebration as both a building for classes and as a stop for tourists on their visits to Williamsburg. The Wren Courtyard serves as the background for the Yule Log reading by President Groves INTRODUCTION 5

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of ctolarsi Hp ounded on December 5, 1 776, at ,JI William and Mary, Phi Beta Kappa became the first inter-colle- giate society in the United States with educational objectives. The Alpha Chapter numbered among its first members Chief Justice John Marshall, Continental Congress rep- resentative Samuel Hardy, U.S. Sen- ators John Brown and Steven Thomson Mason and John James Beckley, First Clerk of the House of Representatives. Their first meeting was held at the typical gathering place of many of their peers. The Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern became the site of their annual banquets as well as special occasion celebrations. With the Revolutionary War be- ginning, the society lost many of its members to the patriot army. On Jan. 6, 1781, it was decided that the society ' s papers should be given to the college steward during the confusion of the times. In 1849, these papers were given to the Vo. Historical Society where they stayed until returned to the Alpha Chapter in 1893. An early mem- ber was found in 1850 and it was de- cided to revive the chapter. The Civil War forced the closing of the College and Phi Beta Kappa again folded, this time for thirty-two years. The society has continued since that time, celebrating the initiation of new member each December 5th. Members often gathered ot the Appollo Room of Raleigh Tovern for drinks and conversation. PHI BETA KAPPA 7