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Archive Features “Shrine” Replica
The “Shrine” in the Shonk Archive and Educational Center
By Albert D. Shonk (Southern Cal ’54) Past Grand President & Historian One of the outstanding features of the new Shonk Archive and Educational Center at the International Headquarters is the replica of the Phi Sigma Kappa “Shrine” located at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. The replica was created by Penwal Industries, the designer and builder of the SAEC, and is an exact copy of the original Shrine.
The Shrine at Amherst was created in 1923 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Phi Sigma Kappa. It was built into the outer wall of North College Dormitory, where Phi Sigma Kappa was founded. Old North College was torn down around 1960, and the Shrine was moved to the entrance of Machmer Hall, near the original site.
In 1973, during the Fraternity’s 100th anniversary celebration at the University of Massachusetts, a plaque commemorating the 100th was added next to the Shrine. That is also replicated next to the Shrine at the International Headquarters. Brother Joseph E. Root (UMass 1876), a boyhood friend of Founder Joseph F. Barrett (UMass 1875), originally financed the cost of the Shrine by making an appeal for a 50-cent contribution from each alumnus and undergraduate member. The next year he reported that 1,648 members had contributed a total of around $1,000 toward the creation of the Shrine, a large amount of money in those days!
An interesting feature of the Shrine is that it rests on a boulder, which Brother Root brought from the birthplace of Founder Barrett. Penwal also recreated the stone.
The most impressive feature of the 50th Anniversary celebration was said to be the unveiling of the Shrine dedicated to the Fraternity’s founders. The two living founders, Brooks and Campbell, were present.
It is appropriate that the Shrine be featured in the SAEC at the International Headquarters for all who visit to see.
Front, left to right: Jerome and Gordon Watts, sons of Ralph Watts. Both became Phi Sigs; Jerome at Michigan, and Gordon at Swarthmore.
Seated, left to right: Peter Harwood, Massachusetts Agricultural College President Butterfield, William Penn Brooks, Frederick Campbell, and Joseph Root.
Standing, left to right: Arthur Root, Frank Prentice Rand, MAC Professor Frank Waugh, Arnold Otto, Walter Conley, R. Rossman Lawrence, Ralph Watts, William Huntress, Gilbert Morgan, Frank Frostburg, and William McIntyre.
