Additional material may be added to the collection by the creators.
Philomathean Society (Pacific University) Records, Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon.
Pacific University owns the copyright to some, but not all, of the materials housed in its archives. Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of Pacific University is retained by Pacific University and requires its permission for publication. Copyright status for other collection materials varies. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Collection is open for research.
The Philomathean Society of Pacific University is a women's Greek Letter organization that was founded in 1871. They believe themselves to be the oldest sorority west of the Mississippi. Originally a literary society, their activities in the 19th and early 20th century were mostly focused on debates, readings and music. In later years, the sorority's activities shifted to being primarily social and charitable. The Philomathean Society changed its official name in 1924 to Phi Lambda Omicron, but its members are still commonly known as the "Philos."
The collection consists of the minutes of the Philomathean Society, 1871-1879, written by hand in a single volume. The minutes record activities such as the election of officers, by-laws, admittance of members, and the outcomes of the society's debates. Several examples of their debate topics include:
"Resolved, that every young lady should learn some trade or profession, by which she could gain a livelihood." (8 Dec 1871)
"Resolved, that the last bill passed by the 42nd Congress was unconstitutional." (4 April 1873)
"Resolved, that a Republican form of government should tolerate all religious denominations." (24 April 1874)
"That spiritualism is a humbug." (2 April 1875)
"Resolved, that the annexation of the Sandwich Islands to the U.S. would be an injury to the U.S." (31 March 1876)