History

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded in 1909 at Boston University by Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912). The University of North Carolina chapter, known as Gamma Nu Zeta among Fraternity members, was initially founded in 1922 as Gamma Delta, a local fraternity, and thereafter installed on April 22, 1926. The property at 229 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill was initially purchased by Gamma Nu Foundation Inc. on August 2, 1962 for use as the chapter house. The property has undergone several major and minor renovations since, with the most recent occurring in 2019 with the reconstruction of the front porch. Lambda Chi Alpha became the first fraternity to end pledging when a plan of associate membership was adopted in 1972. Associate Members can vote, hold office, attend meetings and Fraternity functions, and wear the letters and regalia of the Fraternity.

Our Home at 229 E. Franklin Street

229 E. Franklin Street first became home to Lambda Chi Alpha in 1959. Originally the property was comprised of three structures: the main house which had originally been built around 1915 as a boarding house; the back house or annex which was built in the late 1940’s as a private residence; and a now demolished third structure which previously served as a Doctor’s office. The facilities have been reconfigured, renovated and expanded on multiple occasions over the last sixty years to accommodate improvements ranging from the new kitchen and fire suppression system to the replacement of the front porch. For more on the improvements currently being made to the property click here.