Philomathesian Society
From KCpedia
The Philomathesian Society was a literary and debate society founded in 1827.
Several of Kenyon's most prominent alumni were members of the Philomathesian Society, including Rutherford B. Hayes, Edwin McMasters Stanton, Stanley Matthews, and David Davis. The College archives have meeting minutes from 1827-1899 and letters to the Society from such famous men as Prince Albert, John Quincy Adams, and James Buchanan.
Meetings took place in a log cabin just north of where the Church of the Holy Spirit is located today. The members of the Philomathesian Society were summoned to meetings by horn blasts.
Contents |
Dissension
The precursors to the Civil War took a toll on the Society. Kenyon had many students from both the North and the South, and the political issues that came to a national head in 1861 caused furious debates that ripped the Philomathesian Society apart. The first page of the Nu Pi Kappa record book expounds upon the events (from the Southern point of view):
In consequence of the misjudged and censurable conduct of certain members of the Philomathesian Society, a party spirit was excited, dividing the Society into Northern and Southern, and making it advisable, and almost necessary, for individual improvement, and well being of the whole, that a separation should take place.
This "secession" took place on June 23, 1832. In order to decided who should take the name "Philomathesian Society" with them, A.T. Bowie of Prince George's County, Maryland tossed a coin with S.A. Bronson (later President of Kenyon) of Columbus, Ohio. Bowie lost, and the new Southern society became Nu Pi Kappa.
Debates and exchanges between the two societies remained gentlemanly. The preserved letters in the archives use very formal language in communication with one another: "be leave to present you with a gift..." and "your valuable and present polite note..."
After the Split
By 1840 the number of Southern students enrolled at Kenyon had declined so drastically that Nu Pi Kappa was in danger of extinction. In order to save the society, member of Philomathesian were "permitted to volunteer to aid the Nu Pi Kappa Society (if necessary) in the performance of duties, until such time as they should have members of their own sufficient to discharge the same. Provided that not more than 10 be permitted to volunteer." After this movement, the two societies ceased to be divided along geographical or political lines.
Role on Campus
Philomathesian and Nu Pi Kappa Societies provided much of the social entertainment on campus throughout the 19th century. In those days there were no organized sports, few outside speakers, no drama, very little music, and no parties as students today are familiar with. These societies provided a focal point for discussion and exchange of ideas. In addition, each society usually contributed one speaker to Commencement.
Each society also had a library filled with books on secular topics--something without which the early Kenyon students would have been academically handicapped. The only other books on campus were those collected by Bishops Chase and McIlvaine, which were mostly theological in nature. In 1836, the two libraries combined had a total of more than 2,500 volumes; in 1872 they had nearly 10,000. The two libraries were not merged with the college library until 1881. Some of these books are still in frequent use today.
The Halls in Ascension
Eventually both Philo and Nupi gained quarters in the basement of Old Kenyon: an improvement over their log cabin but a far cry from adequate housing. When Ascension Hall was built in 1859, each society was to be awarded its own quarters. There would be one on the second floor and one on the third floor, both in the middle section of the building.
This proposition inflamed the age-old animosities between the two societies. Both wanted the room on the third floor as there would be more privacy. A compromise was reached when it was proposed that the rooms would be decided by chance, but that whomever got the third floor room would put carpeting down so as not to annoy the society below. A coin toss later Nu Pi Kappa won and moved into the third floor room. Professor Philip Wolcott Timberlake wrote many years later of the outcome:
"I might add the following evidence regarding the annoyance of one society by the other. Nu Pi Kappa did not carpet its hall, at least not before philo had sent a note of protest. In my own days one of our Philo meetings adjourned to repel an attack by Nupi which began with snowballs through our windows. Finally, I recall that when Nu Pi Kappa could not assemble more than three or four members for a meeting, they would go noisily past Philo's door on the old wooden staircase, then tiptoe down, and go noisily up again. After several repetitions they would then send down to Philo and ask for some extra chairs."
When the college renovated Ascension Hall in 1927-1928 they took special pains to restore the two rooms to their original splendor after the construction was completed.
In the 20th Century
Philo was revived in 1910 by two students, Walter Coolidge and Don Wonders. The rivalry between the two societies became nothing but a tradition during the 20th century. The groups survived for a little while after World War II, but after the war a lethargic period which seemed to pervade Kenyon during the late 1950s. Interested waned, and both societies eventually died out. Now both Philo and Nupi exist only in memory and tradition.
The societies provided a social hub for students. They founded the first libraries. The Kenyon Collegian was founded through their fumbling efforts. They taught their members, through quarrels and disagreement, tolerance and justice.
Resources in the Kenyon College Archives
- Philomathesian Society -- collected materials
