Sphinx (senior society) facts for kids
The Sphinx is a special group at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. It started in 1885. It is the oldest of 14 senior societies at the college. It is also the oldest all-male secret society that has always been active in the United States.
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The Sphinx: A Look at Its History
The Sphinx was created in 1885 by 14 male students. They were all part of the graduating class of 1886.
How Members Are Chosen
Each year, older members of the Sphinx choose new members. This happens during Winter Carnival Weekend. This process is called "tapping." They usually pick 24 junior students. These new members are sometimes called "twenty-fours" or the "Krewe."
The Sphinx used to print its members' names in a book called the Aegis. But now, the group is more private. Members' names are kept secret until they graduate. At graduation, members carry special canes that show they belong to the Sphinx.
The Sphinx Building
The Sphinx has its own building, called the Sphinx Tomb. It was built in 1903 on East Wheelock Street. An architect named William M. Butterfield designed it. The building looks like old Egyptian temples. This style was popular in the mid-1800s.
In 1923, there were plans to add a large part to the building. But this addition was never built. Instead, a smaller part was added to the back in 1926. In 1929, a fire started in the furnace. It destroyed the inside of the building. The inside was then rebuilt. In 2005, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical places.
Fun Rumors About the Sphinx
Many stories and rumors are told about the Sphinx. Some people believe the building has a very high water bill. They think this is because it has a swimming pool inside. However, town records do not show this to be true.
Another rumor says there is a secret tunnel. It supposedly connects the Sphinx to the basement of the Alpha Delta fraternity next door. People also whisper about the group's secret activities. These range from helping the community in secret to, long ago, taking artwork from the college during a scavenger hunt.
The 1989 Scavenger Hunt Incident
In 1989, the Sphinx group faced some problems. This happened because of a scavenger hunt they organized. On April 27, 1989, 16 students took part in this hunt. During the hunt, many items were taken from the Dartmouth campus. These items included paintings, photos, mailboxes, and signs. The school estimated the value of the missing items was about $12,000.
The school announced that if all items were returned safely, no questions would be asked. Most items were returned within 24 hours. But some were still missing. An investigation showed that the Sphinx was responsible for the scavenger hunt. Dartmouth College then took action. They stopped recognizing the Sphinx for one year. They also fined the group $3,000. The group also had to pay for any damage to the items. The students involved were given probation or suspended from school.
Later Events
In 2003, two unknown people tried to break into the building. They were not successful.
