Delta Delta Delta applies to become historic house
By: Andy Boyle
Issue date: 10/11/06 Section: News
The Daily Nebraskan
(The University of Nebraska)
The Delta Delta Delta sorority house at 1601 R St. has had a yellow sign on its front lawn for some time now, but with no explanation for its presence.
The sorority is applying to make the house a historic building, said Ed Zimmer, the historic preservation planner for the Lincoln Planning Department.
The building must meet certain criteria to be awarded the Lincoln landmark designation, he said.
First, Zimmer said, the house must be at least 50 years old. The Delta Delta Delta house was built in 1926, according to the National Register of Historic Places.
Second, he said, the building has to have some kind of architectural significance. The house meets the criteria because it exemplifies a 1920s-era sorority house.
Also, he said, it was significant in the development of the area known as the "Greek Row Historic District," which is from roughly R Street from 14th to 17th streets and 16th Street from R Street to Vine Street. The National Register of Historic Places officially recognized this area in 1997.
Lastly, Zimmer said, the integrity of the original building has to remain intact. Although an addition was built on the north side of the building, it was constructed in a way to retain the original character of the structure.
"Most folks wouldn't even be aware that it even has a big addition," he said. "And the original part is still very clear and dominant."
Linda Schwartzkopf, the director of Greek Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said several greek houses have already been designated as historic sites, including Kappa Kappa Gamma and Chi Omega.
It's not out of the ordinary for a house to apply for historic status, Schwartzkopf said, and Delta Delta Delta seems to meet all of the qualifications.
The house could work through the University of Nebraska Foundation to gain historic status, Zimmer said. Then, the members of the house could work cooperatively with the foundation to get funds to maintain the house.
Even though a building could gain a historic landmark designation, it could still be demolished. But Zimmer said he doesn't think that's very likely to happen to the Delta Delta Delta house.
Colleen Wooldridge, the alumni chapter president of the Delta Delta Deltas of Lincoln, said the opportunity to become a historic building is outstanding and very special to the sorority.
"We've been on this campus for a very long time," she said. "We have a very good set of women who've gone through this chapter house now and for many years, and for Tri Delts in years to come, it will be a reminder of our rich and deep history at UNL."
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