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The History of Indiana Gamma's Chapter House
In early spring of 1927, the lot at 831 West Hampton Drive was selected to be the home of the Indiana Gamma Chapter of Pi Beta Phi. Pi Phi was the third sorority to choose the university, having established the selection sequence by date of chapter founding on the Butler campus.
In April 1935, architects Lee Burns and Edward D. James designed and laid foundations for a Greek revival style home. Thursday, April 16, 1936, the chapter moved in from their leased location at 345 Blue Ridge Road. The main floor contained a living room, dining room, library, kitchen, and bath, with a lounge in the basement. Upstairs was the housemother's room and bath, five bedrooms for 10 girls and a town girls' room, named for Mrs. Ruth G. Balfour, Butler Pi Phi and wife of the Fraternity jeweler.
Interior decorators from Marshall Field and Co., Chicago chose a Georgian style for the living area, in the spring colors taken from a William Forsyth painting. The chapter planned a week of festivities including open houses, a formal dinner honoring the founders, and a pledge dance. Members of the building and decorating committees included Mesdames Edward P. Gallagher, Urban K. Wilde Jr., Ellis B. Hall, Willard K. Gearen, William N. Springer, W.T. Johnson, Miss Fanny Miner, and Miss Ethel Curryer, one of Indiana Gamma's charter members.
In 1947, for Indiana Gamma's 50th anniversary, the living and dining rooms were redecorated in Pi Phi colors of wine and blue. Mothers Club gifts included a mahogany table for the entry and a mirror over the fireplace. Already several of the bedrooms were redone to sleep three instead of two women.
The growing number of out-of-town students attending Butler meant that more room was necessary for the house to pledge these girls. Ground was broken April 24, 1960 for a $154,000 addition including a three-story wing designed by Edward D. James and Associates. Other changes included a bay window in the dining room and a fire-escape stairway on the West end of the building.
The dorm and dining room were finished by the beginning of school, with the remainder completed by Christmas. The house now held 38 girls. Pi Phi's in charge of remodeling were Elinor H. Lockwood and Mrs. F. Noble Ropkey.
In 1997, for Indiana Gamma's 100th anniversary, the foyer floor was changed from hardwood flooring to marble. Also, the formal living room and TV room's walls were repainted, and the Pi Phi crest was painted on the wall of the landing. New chandeliers also lighted the formal and foyer. The house also received new carpet in the formal living room, the TV room, and up the stairs along with new hardwood flooring in the dining room.
In summer 2007, the House Corporation Board installed air conditioning throughout the house. A fire suppression, or sprinkler system, was also installed for added safety and security. The bathrooms were completely gutted and remodeled, providing both a much needed facelift and improved functionality. The dining room and formal areas also received a makeover, with new paint and wallpaper, furniture, light fixtures and decor. Today, the chapter house is home to approximately 50 women and our house mother.
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