As Part of 150th Celebration, Alpha Phi Engages HistoryIT to Save Every Story
EVANSTON, IL (August 18, 2021) — Today, Alpha Phi launches Beta Gamma’s Digital Chapter Museum — their first of many as part of an initiative to preserve the entire history of the nearly 150-year-old women’s fraternity. Through a partnership with HistoryIT, the history of the Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Colorado can now be searched and shared online by the general public. The interactive digital experience features archival images, recruitment videos, scrapbooks, and perhaps most notably chapter composites from the 1920s to today.
As part of their 150th anniversary campaign, Alpha Phi engaged HistoryIT to digitally preserve the women’s fraternity’s archival collections. Their efforts resulted in a state-of-the-art digital museum that shares incredible stories of the women who made lifelong connections and memories through their membership. The national organization’s robust digital museum continues to grow as they prepare for their 150th celebration in October 2022.
“Digital Chapter Museums like the one launched by our Beta Gamma chapter allow us the opportunity to celebrate what it means to be an Alpha Phi and the strength of our shared connection that links us across the miles and beyond a single generation,” said Renee Zainer, executive director of Alpha Phi International Fraternity. “Preserving our history is an important step in safeguarding our past so current and future members may access it, learn from it and find inspiration from it.”
Recognizing that 80% of fraternal history lives at the chapter level, Alpha Phi has set a goal to save every story. With the threat of deteriorating materials and unpredictable environmental conditions, the women’s fraternity is encouraging chapters to honor their 150th anniversary by working with HistoryIT to digitally preserve their stories for future generations. Alpha Phi is the first fraternal organization to take on the challenge of preserving their complete history.
“It’s truly an honor to be a part of such a large historic preservation initiative,” said Dr. Kristen Gwinn-Becker, HistoryIT Founder & CEO. “HistoryIT is excited for the opportunity to digitally preserve Alpha Phi’s history in such a comprehensive way. By including their chapters, they are now at the forefront of organizations who are fully owning and sharing their history.”
Alpha Phi has 10 Digital Chapter Museums currently under development with Beta Mu at the University of Alabama’s site launching later this month and Beta Epsilon at the University of Arizona’s debuting in early September. Once live, all Digital Chapter Museums will connect seamlessly with Alpha Phi’s digital museum, ensuring the entire women’s fraternity’s history is preserved and easily accessible.
Explore Alpha Phi Beta Gamma’s Digital Chapter Museum and discover stories from decades of sisterhood.
About Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi International Fraternity is a loyal sisterhood of women courageously pursuing limitless excellence. Founded at Syracuse University in 1872, Alpha Phi was one of the first Greek societies for women and was a founding member of the National Panhellenic Conference. The organization is comprised of 172 collegiate chapters and more than 135 alumnae chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The Alpha Phi Foundation is the fraternity’s philanthropic and educational partner, supporting women’s heart health and other charitable and educational projects.
About HistoryIT
HistoryIT gives history a future. We offer a comprehensive set of services and software that enable any organization to transform archival materials, from whatever state they are in, into a 21st Century digital collection.
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