Acacia was started in 1904 as a Masonic club for college students. It was originally just a club, and had members who were also in other fraterenities. Over time, some Acacia chapters acquired buildings and became eating clubs, but still allowed membership in other greek organizations. Much like Princeton's eating clubs, which allow greek membership. This was a gradual evolution, not an overnight switch. And some Acacia chapters remained solely as Masonic clubs.
In order to enter the National Interfraternity Conference, Acacia agreed not to initiate members of other greek organizations (dual membership), but, for a while, other greeks could join Acacia, usually on those campuses where Acacia acted as a Masonic club.
I have been told (and I would like more clarification of this) that TKE was, at one time, a Masonic fraternity. TKE makes no reference to this, on their official site. I don't know if it was individual TKE chapters that were Masonic, or if it was something from their national. But, I have heard the TKE-Mason connection a number of times. I have also heard that Triangle had a Masonic connection.
Last edited by modorney; 06-29-2007 at 08:11 PM.
|