Washington D.C. Chi Phi History

1874

Union of Northern and Southern Orders of Chi Phi at Willard Hotel (original building—see prints at D.C. History Museum, Mount Vernon Square); origin of word “lobbyist”

1890’s

Present Willard Hotel built on site of old (14th & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.)

1960’sChi Phi alumni group including Brother Ralph Ingram meets for lunch in Willard.
1970'sHotel’s “Round Robin Bar”; Willard goes out of business.
1980

Chi Phi Club of Washington, D.C. reorganized under Grand Alpha Fred Keiser and  past Grand Gamma Chuck Wilson; has quarterly luncheons and other events such as trips to Orioles Games at Memorial Stadium; dinner dance at Kenwood Country Club, and happy hours

1983   

Members of D.C. Club start colony at George Mason University.

1985   

Around this time Brother Bob Ramin, Xi works in student affairs and development at University of Maryland; colonizing U. Md. discussed but not pursued.

1988

Restored Willard Hotel reopens.

1989

Iota Zeta Chapter (George Mason) chartering banquet held at Willard Hotel; Senator Charles Robb of Virginia, Xi ’61, K ’61, sends congratulatory letter read to assemblage by D.C. Club President George MacDonald KD’71, IZ ’89; plaque commemorating Union of Northern and Southern Orders presented by D.C. Club to Willard Hotel (plaque presently displayed in Hotel’s history alcove).

1994

Iota Zeta Chapter becomes inactive.

1995D.C. Club becomes inactive.
1997

D.C. Alumni Happy Hour; Chi Phi College of Excellence held at George Mason.

1998

College of Excellence held at University of Maryland, College Park; brothers stay in La Plata Hall; highlight- Saturday eve crab feast in tent on the Mall; casual discussions of colonizing Maryland.

1999

Chi Phi 175th Anniversary Special Congress and banquet held at Willard Hotel in conjunction with College of Excellence at University of Maryland for second year; brothers stay in La Plata Hall. Special Congress features unveiling of new Ritual to commemorate Union of Northern and Southern Orders; further casual discussions, including Maryland Greek life staff, of colonizing Maryland.

2000

Chi Phi Alumni Happy Hour at Blue-‘N- Gold Brew Pub (now Mr. Day’s) in Arlington, VA—reorganization of D.C. Club discussed.

2001

Chi Phi Educational Trust sponsors alumni reception at Willard Hotel; more discussion of reorganizing Chi Phi Club; Brothers MacDonald, Hess and Giannetti hold “Chinatown” meeting after N.A.I.C. Congress reception.

2002

Brothers Molinari, Connell, Hess, and MacDonald meet to restart National Capital Chi Phi Club.

2003

At Congress, Alumni Club of the Year award presented to National Capital Chi Phi Club; Brother MacDonald presents award at Orioles outing to Brother Molinari as President of Club; committee established to colonize Maryland; in early Fall, committee contacted by members of a student interest group.

2003

On November 18, New Member ceremony is conducted by National Capital Chi Phi Club members at University of Maryland’s Stamp Student Union launching Maryland Chi Phi Colony with 24 new members.

2004On February 21st, the members of the Maryland Colony are initiated at University of Virginia. (view pictures here)