Secret societies
From Special Collections Research Center Wiki
There have been a number of secret societies at the College of William and Mary during its history. Groups believed to be currently active on campus include the FHC Society, 7 Society, Bishop James Madison Society, Thirteen, W Society, Wren Society, Alphas, and others. Groups such as PDA, which was a student group organized in the 18th century after the F.H.C. are among those no longer active on campus. The FHC was the first collegiate secret society in the United States. It was founded on November 11, 1750, faded away in the 1770s, was revived in the 1920s before fading away in 1943, and again being revived in 1972.
Contents |
Material in the SCRC
- Of all of the secret societies, the SCRC probably has the most material related to the FHC Society. A list of material related to the group is available at the FHC's SCRC Wiki page.
- Student Organizations Collection, includes material from several secret societies.
- Colonial Echo
- The Flat Hat
- Folder 50, College Papers Collection
- David Holmes Papers, includes some material related to the Bishop James Madison Society.
- University Archives Artifact Collection
- University Archives Oral History Collection
- Search for additional material in the SCRC Collections Database
- Office of the President - this would require a bit of searching.
- Katherine (Katie) Elisabeth Shields Oral History conducted on 03/23/05, this interview is available online.
In the News
- Various articles in the College of William and Mary student newspaper The Flat Hat; see also other student publications.
- Shhh! The Secret Side to the College’s Lesser Known Societies, Becca Millfeld, The DoG Street Journal, 2 November 2004.
- Secret, But (Probably) Not Sinister
- Secret society donates Sadler plaque, October 1, 2008.
Share Your Memories
Do you want to share your memories? You are welcome to create an account and add your memories to this section of the SCRC Wiki page or if you prefer, contact University Archivist Amy Schindler (acschi@wm.edu or 757-221-3094). In either case, please include your name and class year. We look forward to hearing from you.
Need help?
To search for further material, see Finding Materials in the SCRC for an introduction to the SCRC Collections Database, card catalogs, Flat Hat-William & Mary News-Alumni Gazette index, etc.
Questions? Contact the SCRC at spcoll@wm.edu or 221-3090, or visit the Special Collections Research Center in the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary (hours).
| A Note About The Contents Of This Wiki |
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| Unfortunately, many of the early original records of the College of William and Mary were destroyed by fire, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information available here is the best available from known documents and sources at the time it was written. Information in this wiki is not complete as new information continues to be uncovered in the SCRC's collections and elsewhere. Researchers are strongly encouraged to use the SCRC's access tools for their research as the information contained in this wiki is by no means comprehensive. |
