the Smithsonian?!?!?!

SigKapQueen · #1 04-19-2002, 01:59 AM

okay i dont know if anyone wrote about this, but ive heard around school that if you go to the smithsonian musuem there is a place where you could see all the fraternities and sororities. they also said you could go an check out what every group is based on and all their SECRETS!!!! is this TRUE? as for me, i feel that my sorority is very dear to my heart and i wouldnt like non initiated members to see what sigma kappa means to every one who is a sigma kappa. does anyone know if national headquarters approved of this? if anyone would comment it would help me out alot!!!!!
LIS,
sigkap queen

Senusret I · #2 04-19-2002, 02:06 AM

They used to say that the Library of Congress has a copy of every fraternity and sorority ritual available to the general public. It is simply not true.

They do have every book that was ever in print COMMERCIALLY. . .so the history books of the organizations are there, but not the rituals.

Plus, the Library of Congress is not like a regular library. . .you can't just take books home.

#3 04-19-2002, 02:07 AM

SigKapQueen,

I wouldn't believe it for a second.

This also goes for the rumor going around saying that the Library of Congress has a collection of our beloved rituals. I know I saw it somewhere, but the LOC actually wrote an official statement denying these allegations.

The historical value of each GLO ritual rests within the GLO itself, not the general public.

DeltaBetaBaby · #4 04-19-2002, 03:04 AM

In case you are wondering, the LOC has a copy of every COPYRIGHTED book. Check your ritual, I guarantee you there isn't a copyright.

UofISigKap · #5 04-19-2002, 08:30 AM

Nope, I live an hour from the Smithsonian....I love being that close to check out all the different ones and exhibits. There are no greek items like that.

CutiePie2000 · #6 04-19-2002, 12:18 PM

That's an urban legend, only it is the Library of Congress, not The Smithsonian (I see that is has "morphed" over the years into The Smithsonia)...
this has been discussed before, but I can tell you with 100% confidence that it is an Urban Legend! Not to worry!

I copied and pasted this from a guy's webpage:
"The Library of Congress finally came up with a reply after getting lots of inquiries:
"At the behest of a number of Greeks, I recently contacted the Library of Congress about the "secret ritual" issue. When I got through to general information they routed me to the reading room, where a kind lady cut me off before I could even finish my question, "...I already know what you're going to ask. It's not true. It's just a myth. We get this a lot."
She kindly agreed to send me a form letter that they send to everyone who writes in (or comes in) wanting to know where they can find all the fraternity rituals (except theirs of course). What they sent me was a very politely worded response indicating that they don't have secret college rituals in their collection"

http://mcrae.ca/greek/docs/loc.htm

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...brary+Congress

ZetaLuvBunny · #7 04-20-2002, 04:20 PM

There is a rumor at MTSU that the school library had a master-list book with all the campus Greeks' rituals in them, yet none of the rituals are specified as to which organization they belong to. It's complete b.s. as far as I know. That would really upset me if anyone outside of ZTA could have access to our secrets.

lifesaver · #8 04-21-2002, 04:20 AM

We have to make a pamphlet of "Top 10 things the older members in your org. are going to tell you that are completely false."

This would be #1.

KerriMarie · #9 04-21-2002, 05:17 PM

There is supposed to be a Kappa badge in the Smithsonian, but I'm not entirely sure where it is... possibly on Elanore Roosevelt's dress? I heard she's a Kappa...