Sororities As Historic Sites

tinydancer · #1 09-21-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macallan25

The FIJI house at Texas is a nationally recognized historical site. (pretty sure its national, but it may be just a Texas landmark. Either way, pretty cool.)

I think the Kappa Kappa Gamma house is also one. I don't remember for sure. Macallan25, maybe you know.

RACooper · #2 09-21-2006, 02:49 PM

Many up here in Toronto are recognized as historic buildings... and it is a bit of mixed blessing - yes there can be some extra funding when something structural needs to be repaired (as in the case of when one DKE's chimney's collapsed in a wind-storm); but being a historic building all upkeep, repairs, and construction has to be in accordance with various preservation codes.

A case in point is my sister's, at Gamma Phi Beta they can't add new outlets, or re-wire, as that would be structurally invasive... even little things can be a problem, such as cleaning - they can't clean the brick exterior themselves, they have to hire approved experts to do it...

Tom Earp · #3 09-21-2006, 03:09 PM

I thought if the exterior structure was kept true then interior upgrades were okay?

Not sure about Canada of course.

RACooper · #4 09-21-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

I thought if the exterior structure was kept true then interior upgrades were okay?

Not sure about Canada of course.

Nope, in Toronto (not sue about other parts of Canada) when a building is registered as a historic structure - the whole structure is "protected", so all interior and exterior work has to be in accordance with the various rules and regulations designed to keep it's "historic integrity" - it's a two-edged sword really... yes you get $$$ to support the upkeep of the building, but it may end up costing you more in the long run...

irishpipes · #5 09-21-2006, 03:45 PM

I know the chapter house at my chapter, which is a historical landmark, had to jump through hoops when they added on. The addition had to meet all of these architectural requirements to maintain the integrity of the structure. I remember hearing that it was a very expensive renovation because of the historic landmark issue.

Elephant Walk · #6 09-21-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

As a matter of fact it makes life very difficult if you are renovating, or doing other life/safety upgrades.

I'm pretty sure you do get money from it. I could certainly be wrong, but I believe Little Rock Central High School gets money for being on the register.

Also, the Chi-O theatre as mentioned earlier on in the thread, is amazing. Just a great place to have pep rallys and so on.

carnation · #7 09-22-2006, 06:44 AM

Oh, is it ever! Talk about a place where you can build suspense! When I cheered there, the cheerleaders and the band would be behind the hedges before the pep rally and the band would be doing drum cadences. Then they'd start the one that signaled that the band was coming and the crowd would go wild! Then the drummers would march down to the grass in front and keep that cadence up while the band ran in. Finally, we'd come racing down to the grass and the band would break into the fight song. by then the crowd was screaming...I hope they still have that ritual!

I went back as an alum cheerleader a few years ago and it was done that way then. It was great because Greeks all over the theater were yelling the names of their brothers and sisters on stage, including ours!

Elephant Walk · #8 09-22-2006, 09:46 AM

Oh yeah, that's stilll how it is...
All during the pep rally, chants start breaking out (Pi Phi Pike, so on. z-e-t-a-t-a-u-a-l-p-h-a, zeta tau alpha... ) where the people on stage can't speak. So much fun.

xowest · #9 09-22-2006, 01:41 PM

I am actually an alum of the Psi Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega at Oregon. The house underwent an interior remodel before getting listed on the history registry. I believe a lot of thought was put into the remodel in order to bring the interior spaces back to their original state and to ensure that the remodel would not jeopardize the listing of the house on the historic registry. As such, I think the listing does impact a house's ability to remodel. I am not sure that there is any money to be received, other than a break on property taxes which, as someone pointed out, is generally not a big issue for non-profits.

Here is a link to pictures of the sorority houses at Oregon. I believe several other houses, including Alpha Phi and Gamma Phi Beta, are also on the registry. http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~greek/sororities.shtml. Most are beautiful buildings.