New York Alpha Chapter House 1911, 801 Ostrom Avenue
Before the New York Alpha Chapter of Pi Beta Phi moved to 210 Walnut Place in the late 1930s, the chapter members called several other places home, including the house pictured above at 801 Ostrom Avenue. It was designed by noted Syracuse architect Ward Wellington Ward.
New York Alpha was founded as Philokalean Club with the sole intention of obtaining a Pi Beta Phi charter. It was organized through the efforts of Grand Vice President Grace Grosvenor, Ohio Alpha (Ohio University), and Florence Sherwood, Kansas Alpha (University of Kansas). The chapter was installed on February 11, 1896 at the home of Frances Beattie. A cookie shine capped off the evening’s events. The charter members were Julia A. Talbott, Louise V. Winfield, Clara G. Hookway, Frances Beattie, Mary E. Mumford, Lida May Byron, Blanche E. Harter, Frances May Bliss and Leora Sherwood.
During its first two years, the chapter met in rooms in the Hall of Languages. In the fall of 1897, the chapter moved into a three-story frame house at 712 Comstock. The chapter’s Arrow correspondent wrote about the home in an October 1897 issue, “The interests of New York Alpha are at present centered in its new chapter home. The house is in progress of erection and will be completed and ready for occupancy some time in November. The mother of one of the girls is to be our chaperon.”
The November 1899 Arrow contained this report, “New York Alpha began the college year with the brightest of prospects. Her active chapter numbered twenty, ten or whom are in the chapter house. We have a new chaperon, Mrs. Baker, who sympathizes with us in every mood.” The chapter was living in a home at 622 Irving Avenue.
In 1902, the chapter moved to 112 Waverly Street. A report in the November 1904 Arrow noted, “How we would like to have representatives from all our chapters come and see us this fall! It seems as if everything was just exactly as we would have it and things are running along very smoothly. We have been fortunate enough to secure our former matron, Mrs. Havens, for this year. She takes such an interest in all our work because her daughter is a Pi Phi, and you girls can’t imagine how much we appreciate having her with us. Every room is occupied.”
It appears that those houses were rentals. The chapter letter in the July 1911 Arrow described the situation, “We New York Alphas have been without house or home since May 1. Our alumnae are building us a fine new chapter house which will be completed by September first. Our lease expired May first so nothing to do, but the Pi Phis had to find new rooms around the campus. We held chapter meetings with the city girls.
The letter continued, “Now we want to tell you how our new house became a reality. The need was great as all who have resided at 112 Waverly at any time will testify, and the rental or purchase of another house within fair distance from the campus, and at the same time large enough for the girls’ demands and small enough for their purses, seemed out of the question. For several years we have been collecting a fund by a system of pledges of a certain amount payable within a stated number of years. Our ultimate object was the building of a chapter house and all our alumnae in and out·of·town were informed of the plan and earnestly urged to cooperate. This spring, in order to put our project on a thoroughly business basis, we incorporated. Soon after, finding a most desirable lot, two blocks from the campus, for sale, we bought it, influenced to do this by the fact that choice locations in this part of the city are fast being sold because of its popularity as a residential section. Then through the further tireless efforts of Mrs. Harvie, the chairman of the house committee, a contractor was secured, and the house was planned. ”
The New England Colonial at 801 Ostrom at the corner of Euclid was designed by Syracuse architect Ward Wellington Ward. Inside, “the Colonial entrance with leaded glass windows is on Ostrom Avenue and opens into a large entrance hall, 18ft. wide with two inglenooks on either side of the vestibule. At the left of the hall is the living-room, 16ft. by 30ft., with an open fireplace on one side opposite which is a window seat. On each side of the seat French windows lead to the large veranda which extends the entire width of the house on the Euclid Avenue side. Back of the hall and entered by glass doors is the dining-room, 18 ft. square, with red walls and mission panels. At the right of the hall is a pleasant music room looking out on new Berkeley Park and Ostrom Avenue. The coloring is green and the beautiful Tiffany lights blend well with it. The butler’s pantry, kitchen and cold room occupy the remainder of the floor.”
“On the second floor are eight sleeping rooms, twelve clothes presses (as closets were called in that time and place) and a bath-room. French windows open upon the decks over the front and rear verandas. On the third floor are four sleeping rooms, a bath and a trunk-room. The chapter hall occupies one entire end of this floor. Everything about the house is simple and homelike. Our alumnae donated the plain white curtains for the first floor and those on the other two floors are alike. Among the gifts was a very handsome brass door knocker engraved with (the Greek letters) given by Mrs. Estelle Foote Harvie, President of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Florence Sherwood Wood furnished the chaperone’s room throughout. If ever girls were glad to be in a new house, New York Alphas are and they most cordially thank all of their friends who have made this new chapter home possible.”
Inside of 801 Ostrom Avenue, 1911
The Syracuse Alumnae Club report in the July 1911 Arrow offered another view, “The style of the house is colonial with a large porch, side entrance and vestibule, large lounging room, den, dining-room-these last mentioned rooms connected by swinging glass doors which may be thrown open for special occasions-kitchen, pantries, etc. on the first floor. The second floor has a large open balcony, and including the space on the third floor there is provision for twelve sleeping rooms and two bathrooms. Two of the rooms on the third are so built that, by sliding back a partition, a large room for chapter purposes is made. The house, which will cost about $10,500 will be ready in September, according to the contract. Not having funds enough, the contractor is financing our project and we hope, in the years to come, to payoff our indebtedness, and we hope too that it may be largely through the efforts of the girls who are and will be in college, and who will appreciate what a new house means to the success of the chapter as well as to their own comfort. Being so thoroughly engrossed in these plans, while we sincerely deplore the fact that we have not contributed our share to the settlement school fund, still we feel that the leaders of that most worthy charity will understand our failure to respond as an evidence of our inability rather than of any lack of sympathy. Every spare dollar and cent we have been able to collect has gone into our house fund. We have even turned amateur dressmakers, volunteering to make the initiation robes for the active girls and applying the proceeds to our fund. Certainly, next year, if we can, we shall help, if only a little, toward the settlement school, but we have, as yet, formulated no plans in regard to it, feeling that the work which now needs our money and efforts is to help make a suitable home for our local chapter, so that we may he, in every sense, proud of New York Alpha of Pi Beta Phi.”
In the fall of 1920, the chapter moved to 215 Euclid Ave. The chapter kept trying to improve the living situation, it appears, to keep up with the other groups on campus, “The chapter house has undergone considerable improvement through the efforts of a committee appointed last spring. Every active member pledged fifteen dollars to be earned during the summer. Several of the city girls and those out-of-town girls who could, returned to work on the house the month before college opened. They painted the furniture in all the upstairs rooms, decorated with delicate colors which harmonize well with each other. The music room was redecorated in mulberry and blue. New pieces of furniture were bought for the other living-rooms. The alumnae chapter installed new showers and a heating system for the water. The floors were refinished, and the outside of the house painted.”
215 Euclid
According to the November 1931 Chapter Report in the Arrow “during the summer the chapter house was greatly improved. All rooms on the second and third floors were papered and painted and a new bathroom was installed. Two rooms on the second floor were completely done over with Stickley furniture and harmonizing drapes and curtains. Each year more room will be furnished in a corresponding manner. Twenty-four girls are living in the house. This exceeds the number for the past four or five years, in spite
of the fact there are a number of girls whose homes are in the city.”
In the fall of 1932, the chapter correspondent noted, “the greatest difficulty confronting New York Alpha is that of competing particularly during rushing with other women’s fraternities which have beautiful new homes. This problem is being met by a systematic refurnishing of the entire house. During the course of every summer vacation each member is expected to earn $10 to be used for new furniture. This year the kitchen was newly painted and equipped. All the floors were refinished. Several new pieces of furniture were bought for the living rooms, continuing the program begun last year another bedroom on the second floor was completely done over with Stickley furniture. The plan is to buy things of such quality that they will remain in good condition and retain their style for many years to come. The Syracuse alumnae club has presented the chapter with $60 raised for a new radio.”
Each summer, the chapter purchased more Stickley furniture. The furniture was still in use when I lived in the chapter house in the 1970s.
In the fall of 1939, the chapter moved into its current home at 210 Walnut Place on Walnut Park. The Georgian Revival home (it has also been described as Colonial Revival in a book on Syracuse landmarks) was built in 1897 and was originally the home of Bishop Frederick Dan Huntington, a prominent clergyman and archbishop. It was renovated in 1920 and served as an elite men’s social club. When I was in school we had heard from alumnae that it had been a sort of exclusive rooming house, but I have not been able to find out more about the previous use.
The chapter report in the Fall 1939 Arrow told of the new home, “New York Alpha is by this time very comfortably installed in the new chapter house. On their return this fall the girls found that it more than lived up to expectations and helped the rushing problem immensely. During the year work will be continued in the cellar which eventually will be transformed into a chapter room, smoking room, and game room. At present the city girls are enjoying a well equipped room reserved especially for them. For the first time in a number of years the pledge dance was held at the house rather than the hotel and consequently was a more happy occasion than usual. The members of a number of neighboring houses in the new location have invited the chapter as after dinner coffee guests. Delta Gamma, Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta are among those who have shown such friendliness.”
The chapter’s charter was dormant from 1984-88 and the house was leased by another sorority (if memory serves me it was Alpha Omicron Pi, but I had a hard time finding documentation of it). Bruce Springsteen was performing at the Carrier Dome on the night of January 26, 1985. Cars were parked everywhere, many of them illegally. That night, a member of the neighboring men’s fraternity threw firecrackers at the house. One flew into the house through an open third floor window and a fire started.
Luckily, all the residents were able to get to safety. The fire trucks were hampered by the narrow streets and the multitude of illegally parked cars. The fire destroyed most of the third floor. When the damage was repaired many of the third floor rooms were reconfigured. A big shout out goes to the young alumna who was Alumnae Advisory Committee Chair when I was in the chapter and who, when she later served on House Corporation, was charged with dealing with the insurance and contractors. Leigh is a true Pi Phi Angel!!
Whatever the floor layout, 210 Walnut Place will be forever a special place for the women who have lived within its walls since the late 1930s. (update – In May, 2013, the home at 210 Walnut Place was sold to the NY Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta.)
210 Walnut Place
