According to Erik Blackburn Oliver’s Cornerstone and Grove, Phi Gamma was the first literary and fraternal society at Emory College. Their meeting and debate hall, which anchors the northwest corner of the quad, was completed in 1851 and is the oldest surviving academic structure on the Oxford campus. It has been beautifully restored in recent years and is a textbook example of Greek Revival architecture, to my mind a landmark of the form. It also served as a temporary hospital during the Civil War.
Oxford Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This is reminiscent of Demosthenian Hall on the old campus at UGA in Athens, home to their debate society. Simple, clean lines.
Indeed. My favorite architecture. Simple and functional.
As a Demosthenian alumnus, I’m happy to see the Hall mentioned here. Demosthenian Hall was built in 1824, and has housed the Demosthenian Literary Society for all that time*. The Hall is badly in need of a new roof, and the current members are working to raise funds to have it done.
*Except when the University was closed during the Civil War.
It is inspiring to see these fantastic Greek Revival buildings restored at last. Brian, Tha ks for your dedication in bringing so many small town delights to the surface.