Tau Sigma Delta: Records of the Grand Chapter Recorder
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0345
This collection is comprised of the files of the Grand Chapter Recorder of Tau Sigma Delta from 1916 to 1955 and, as such, consists chiefly of correspondence to and from Ernest Trysell who served in this role for the bulk of the time. The Recorder was responsible for all financial transactions including the collection of initiation fees and the ordering and distribution of fraternity keys (pins), membership certificates, pledge cards and stationery. Correspondence concerns these transactions, but also includes numerous references to the effect of two World Wars and the Great Depression on membership and college enrollment. Early correspondence in particular documents the problems attendant to forming and maintaining a national organization. There are also occasional references to family and occupation.
In addition to correspondence, the collection contains pledge cards, grade cards, membership certificates, initiation banquet programs and menus, clippings, sketches, several versions of the Tau Sigma Delta constitution, membership lists, pamphlets, bank statements, and three photographs. The presence of membership materials such as grade cards and certificates is incidental, typically the result of a mistake in lettering or in a decision not to join as the Recorder was not the final recipient of these materials.
On June 5, 1913, Fred B. Klein, Harry F. Weeks, Harold M. Penny and Herbert L. Burgess formed Tau Delta Sigma, an honor fraternity for architecture and the allied arts, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Six days later, they elected six additional members, including the first woman member, Dorothy E. Adams. In the fall of 1916, five members of the fraternity decided to make it national, writing a constitution and establishing rituals and standards for election. At this time, the name was changed to Tau Sigma Delta, as another fraternity was found with the name Tau Delta Sigma. The University of Michigan chapter became the Alpha Chapter and Beta Chapter was incorporated at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on May 11, 1917. Other chapters followed, including the first and only international chapter, Zeta Chapter at the University of Liverpool in England. Some attempts to establish chapters did not take hold because a competing society, the Gargoyle Society, had a stronger presence. Tau Sigma Delta was accepted as a member of the National Association of College Honor Societies on February 28, 1948. In July 2011, there were approximately 63 active chapters.
The five men who took the fraternity to a national level were Fred J. Kolb (student), George M. McConkey (professor), Ernest H. Trysell (student), Gilbert S. Underwood (student) and Harlow O. Whittemore (professor). Gilbert Stanley Underwood, later known for his National Park lodge designs, was an enthusiastic champion for the organization in the first few years and served as the first Grand Chapter Master (1916-1922). He came up with a handshake and designs for pledge cards and promoted the fraternity at various schools as he travelled. He was initiated into the fraternity on May 22, 1916. Ernest Hugo Trysell was also initiated on May 22, 1916 and was the most constant officer in the early years, serving as Grand Chapter Recorder from 1916-1923 and 1929-1949.
5.85 Cubic Feet
English
Records are arranged in three series: Chapter Records, Grand Chapter Correspondence and Tau Sigma Delta Constitution. Chapter records were found arranged by chapter and largely in chronological order within each chapter and this order has been maintained. The chapters are listed in order of installation date. National officer correspondence was found arranged by role, then by correspondent, then in chronological order and this order has been maintained. Constitution files were in no discernible order and have been arranged in chronological order.
These records were transferred to Special Collections from the Clemson University School of Architecture on July 25, 2003, accession number 03.144. Series 83, College of Architecture contains references to Tau Sigma Delta in a June 3, 1970 letter from Emil C. Fischer to Harlan McClure at Clemson regarding Fischer’s resignation as Grand Chapter Master as well as that of John Helm, Grand Chapter Recorder. Fischer appoints McClure Grand Chapter Master and Hal Cooledge (also of Clemson) Grand Chapter Recorder. An October 1, 1970 letter from Fischer to McClure mentions that “Professor Helm just sent all the Tau Sigma Delta files via Mayflower.” While there are no specifics about the files, it seems likely that they are the files of the Grand Chapter Recorder because in an October 30, 1970 letter, Joseph L. Young thanks Helm for the bank book and a money order for $60.57 adding that “the files and several boxes arrived a week ago, but I am just now getting time to open them and realize what a big job I have stepped into.” Young asks about procedures for establishing a new chapter and uses the title of Grand Chapter Recorder indicating that he, not Cooledge, stepped into the position.
Envelopes, the original file folders, duplicates, and routine letters sent to confirm other mailings were discarded. A large quantity of the retained correspondence consists of carbon copies of the Recorder’s outgoing correspondence. Much of this was on brittle, poor-quality paper. Most carbon copies were photocopied and the original was discarded, unless it was not possible to get a clear photocopy in which case both original and copy are included. Incoming correspondence on high quality paper was left alone; incoming correspondence on low quality paper was photocopied and originals were retained. Photocopies are interleaved with originals to serve as a buffer between acidic papers. Grade cards and a few other postcards were typically on a low quality cardstock and these have been inserted in photo sleeves. All rusting metal staples and fasteners were removed and replaced with plastic clips or stainless steel staples.
Jen Bingham, staff archivist, processed these papers in 2011.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository