Zeta Psi Fraternity House at Lafayette College explained

Zeta Psi Fraternity House
at Lafayette College
Location:49 S. College Dr., Easton, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:40.6975°N -75.2078°W
Built:1909-1910
Architect:Michler, William Marsh; Baker, James Barnes
Architecture:Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Added:May 21, 2001
Refnum:01000506

The Zeta Psi Fraternity House at Lafayette College is a historic house located on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The house was built by the Tau Chapter of the Zeta Psi fraternity between 1909 and 1910 and is a -story, nine bay wide, rock-faced granite building with a dormered hipped roof. It features a heavy eave cornice, prominent chimney stacks, and projecting facade pavilions. The interior reflects both Colonial Revival and Arts and Crafts influenced in its design and detailing.[1]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Beginning in September 2014, the house was unoccupied due to the suspension of Tau Chapter by Lafayette College for a period of five years.[2] The Tau Chapter was to become officially recognized by the campus again in the Fall of 2018.[3] The college started using the Zeta Psi Fraternity House as an all-male dormitory in the Fall of 2015, housing first year students. During its use as a dormitory, the college hosted several alumni and student events in the house.[4] As of 2017, the Tau Chapter was expected to begin the process to become officially recognized by the campus again in the Fall of 2018.[5] The Tau Chapter was officially recognized and reinstated by Lafayette College during the 2018 - 2019 academic year.[6] The house is no longer used as a dormitory.

History and architectural features

Built between 1909 and 1910 at Lafayette College in Easton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the Zeta Psi Fraternity House is a -story, nine bay wide, rock-faced granite building with a dormered hipped roof. Its exterior features a heavy eave cornice, prominent chimney stacks, and projecting facade pavilions while its interior reflects both Colonial Revival and Arts and Crafts styles of architecture.[7]

Placement of this structure on the National Register of Historic Places

The NRHP nomination application for the Zeta Psi Fraternity House at Lafayette College was formally reviewed by Pennsylvania's Historic Preservation Board at its March 13, 2001 meeting at 9:45 a.m. at the State Museum in Harrisburg. Also considered for NRHP status at this time were the: Protection of the Flag Monument in Athens, Pennsylvania; Normandy Farm, George K. Heller School and Upper Roxborough Historic District in Montgomery County; Awbury Historic District and Harris/Laird, Schober & Company Building in Philadelphia; Michael Derstine Farmstead in Bucks County; Chester Heights Camp Meeting Historic District in Delaware County; John Nicholas and Elizabeth Moyer House in Berks County; and the William Shelly School and Annex in York County.[8]

It was then officially added to the National Register of Historic Places later in 2001.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania. CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Searchable database. Note: This includes Web site: [{{NRHP-PA|H040344_01H.pdf}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Zeta Psi Fraternity House]. 2011-10-29. Dennis N. Bertland. PDF. August 2000.
  2. Web site: Zeta Psi banned from campus for five years.
  3. News: Mitterhoff . Matthew . Zeta Psi banned from campus for five years . 23 November 2017 . The Lafayette . Lafayette College . September 19, 2014.
  4. News: Tropp . Gabrielle . From Zete House to 49 South College: 107-year-old building transforms . 18 July 2021 . The Lafayette . Lafayette College . April 21, 2017.
  5. News: Doherty . Hannah . Zeta Psi starts process to return to campus . 23 November 2017 . The Lafayette . Lafayette College . September 19, 2017.
  6. News: Tropp . Gabrielle . Chi Phi reinstated, Zeta Psi creates first pledge class of 7 members . 18 July 2021 . The Lafayette . Lafayette College . February 9, 2018.
  7. Web site: National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania. CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Searchable database. Note: This includes Web site: [{{NRHP-PA|H040344_01H.pdf}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Zeta Psi Fraternity House]. 2011-10-29. Dennis N. Bertland. PDF. August 2000.
  8. Zeta Psi Fraternity House, in "Historical and Museum Commission: National Register Nominations to be Considered by the Historic Preservation Board," in Pennsylvania Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 6, February 10, 2001, p. 893. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, retrieved online October 12, 2019.