Beta Sigma Phi Collection

Collection

Identifier: 5034

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes meeting minutes, membership information, chapter by-laws, rules and guidelines for rituals and other events, correspondences, scrapbooks, and various other documents that reflect the functions and activities of the Beta Sigma Phi Chapters in Lead, SD, between the years of 1985 to 2008.

Dates

1985 - 2008

Creator

Beta Sigma Phi (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.

Biographical / Historical

Walter W. Ross founded Beta Sigma Phi in 1931 to "unite congenially in fellowship and friendship women interested in promoting their cultural development and fostering association with each other in pursuit of the liberal arts." The Greek letters of its name represent life, learning, and friendship, which is the organizations motto. Members of Beta Sigma Phi span all ages and educational backgrounds.

In October 1941, the Lead Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi was installed. There were two chapters installed in Deadwood at this time, the ZI (Zeta Iota) Chapter, and Kappa Chapter. Florence Johnson was the first president of the XI (Chi Iota) Lead Chapter, with Evelyn Jordahl as vice president, Phyllis Pyne as recording secretary, Blessila Rizzi as corresponding secretary, and Ardis Oitto as treasurer. Other orginal members include: Elizabeth Skashaug, Victoria Cappa, Majorie Mickelthum, Mazine Hastie, and Florence Curnow. The sorority was known for its various social events such as Founder's Day and Mother's Day Teas and fundraising efforts for various organizations. For several years they donated to the Beta Sigma Phi scholarship, awarded annually to a Lead High School graduate. They and were also instrumental in funding the playground at Mooney Park located in the Sinking Gardens.

The Lead Chapters were also called Xi Thera (1981-1993) and Preceptor Alpha Eta (1993-2009). There were six Beta Sigma Phi Chapters in Lead during its roughly 70 year history. The Beta Sigma Phi chapters in Lead, disbanded in 2009 for lack of membership.

Extent

1.25 Linear feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Beta Sigma Phi Collection contains meeting minutes, membership information, chapter by-laws, rules, guidelines for rituals and other events, correspondence, scrapbooks, and various other documents that reflect the functions and activities of the Beta Sigma Phi Chapters in Lead, SD, from 1985 to 2008.

Arrangement

Materials were taken out of binders and rehoused in acid-free folders and arranged alphabetically by folder name. The scrapbooks are at the end in chronological order.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were transferred as one donation, accession number 2015.016, from Betty Ryan and Anna Belle Lungquist on August 13, 2015.

Related Materials

Leo Aldrich in 2003 donated materials about the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Deadwood (Object IDs: ARC 2003.077.001-.006). These materials include various books and records from 1953 to 1975.

Allegra Aldrich in 2003 donated "The Songs of Beta Sigma Phi" from 1978 (Object ID: ARC 2003.139.001).

In 2004 an unknown donor donated a handwritten speech presented by Katherine Thornby to Beta Sigma Phi. Thornby discusses the history of the Adams Museum (Object ID: ARC 2004.140.007).

Betty Dunn in July 2010 donated materials about the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Lead (Object IDs: 2010.002.001-.005, .007). This includes five scrapbooks created between 1961 and 2008, and 14 folders with other documents and records.

Betty Dunn in 2013 donated materials about the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Lead (Object ID: 2013.023.001). This is two folders of meeting minutes from 1997 to 2011.

Dorthy Honadel in April 2017 donated materials about the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Deadwood (Object IDs: 2017.007.002, 2017.007.003). This includes a folder of meeting minutes from 1965 to 1969 and a folder of membership lists from 1965 to 1969.

Melodee Nelson in March 2018 donated materials about the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter in Deadwood (Object IDs: 2018.013.001). This includes three folders with meeting minutes and notes from 1965 to 1998.