Sphinx (senior society)
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The Sphinx, founded in 1885, is the oldest of the fourteen official senior societies at
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in
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.


History

The Sphinx was founded as a senior class society in 1885 by 14 male students of the class of 1886. The senior members of the Sphinx continue to select a small number of male students of the junior class during Winter Carnival Weekend in a process known as "tapping." Traditionally selecting 24 members per year, the delegation often is referred to as "twenty-fours." The Sphinx originally published the names of its members in the annual ''Aegis'', but the society has become more secretive in recent years. The identities of the members are now kept secret until Commencement, when graduating members carry identifying canes. The Sphinx Tomb, constructed in 1903 on East Wheelock Street, was designed by
Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
architect
William M. Butterfield William M. Butterfield (1860–1932) was an American architect from New Hampshire.Shettleworth, Earle G., Jr. "Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Maine: Chesmon Butterfield, 1835-1881". ''http://www.state.me.us/mhpc/architects_bio.html'' ...
and reflects the
Egyptian Revival Egyptian Revival is an architectural style that uses the motifs and imagery of ancient Egypt. It is attributed generally to the public awareness of ancient Egyptian monuments generated by Napoleon's conquest of Egypt and Admiral Nelson's defeat ...
architectural style popular during the mid-nineteenth century. In 1923, a significant addition was planned for the tomb; however, the proposed addition was never constructed. Instead, a smaller rear addition was constructed in 1926. The interior of the Sphinx was replaced after a fire started in the building's furnace destroyed it in 1929. The building was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 2005. Many rumors surround the Sphinx. Some have believed that the tomb routinely has the highest water bill of any building in town because it contains a swimming pool. Another rumor is that a passageway connects the Sphinx to the basement of Alpha Delta fraternity next door. The group's clandestine operations are rumored to include everything from providing anonymous community service to long ago stealing artwork from the College in a traditional scavenger hunt. The Sphinx attracted negative publicity in 1989, when thefts that took place during a scavenger hunt were traced back to the secret society. On April 27, 1989, 16 students took part in a scavenger hunt that resulted in the theft of numerous items across the Dartmouth campus, including paintings, photographs, mailboxes, life preservers, and signs. The school estimated the total value of missing items at nearly $12,000. The school demanded that all items be returned undamaged within 24 hours, in which case it would not investigate further. Most items were returned but as several were still missing, an investigation was launched, which revealed that the Sphinx was responsible for the scavenger hunt. Dartmouth revoked recognition of the Sphinx for one year, fined the organization $3,000 plus the cost of damages to the stolen items, and punished the members involved with probation or suspension. In 2003, an unsuccessful illegal break-in was attempted by two unidentified males.


See also

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Dartmouth College student groups This article contains detailed information on a number of student groups at Dartmouth College. For more information on athletic teams, please see Dartmouth College athletic teams. For more information on college publications, please see Dartmouth ...
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List of collegiate secret societies There are many collegiate secret societies in North America. They vary greatly in their level of secrecy and the degree of independence from their universities. A collegiate ''secret society'' makes significant effort to keep affairs, membership r ...
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National Register of Historic Places listings in Grafton County, New Hampshire This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Grafton County, New Hampshire. This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Grafton County, New Hamp ...


References


External links


Secret Societies: 360 will be invited to join--will you be one?


{{Authority control Dartmouth College student organizations Collegiate secret societies Student societies in the United States Student organizations established in 1885 National Register of Historic Places in Grafton County, New Hampshire Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in New Hampshire Secret societies in the United States 1885 establishments in New Hampshire