I don't doubt that at all.

I just threw it out there that there may be many who will disagree. That's all. Many groups are eager to claim "first" and they have the right to. After all, that's what sets themselves apart from the rest.

I know what you mean...there's lots of firsts around the greek world! I do think it's interesting that after 150+ years Soronian didn't decide to expand.

Hi me again, I was wrong with the date of the fire in case it matters it was actually 1882. As far as us not expanding we really like being private, and local. It is as much a part of what our house stands for and who we are. Being National would be awesome, as far as getting our name out there, but as for now we are going to continue as our own society. :) oh ps as a correction again incase it matters we were founded in 1847 as the sisters of the Eurodelphian society (evolved into present day Adelphic Alpha Pi, another current Frat. on campus). We were established in 1868 under the name Soronian.

FWIW, Philomathean (from the Greek philomath -- "Lover of Learning") was actually a somewhat common name for collegiate literary societies. Perhaps the most famous is the Philomathean Society at the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1813, making it the oldest continually-existing literary society in the country.

That's really interesting, are they still an active society?