Our House

The very first Beta Lambda Chapter house was purchased in 1900 and was located at 903 West California St, in Urbana. After relocating several more times to accommodate the growing number of chapter members, the Beta Lambda chapter took up permanent residence at 1102 South Lincoln Ave, in 1928.

Over the years the Beta Lambda house when through various remodels and additions in order to fulfill the needs of the chapter.

By the late 1970s there were a total of 80 girls living in the house, with 40 of them sleeping in the open airs. Due to the large volume of girls sleeping in the open airs the member instituted the "wakes system."

The "wakes system" consisted of one sister quietly waking up another from the open airs based upon the information she had provided about her classes that day.

Although we no longer utilize the "wakes systems" thanks to modern alarm systems, the system still resides on the wall outside the open airs!

In February of 2004 the Beta Lambda Chapter house was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. This makes the Beta Lambda Chapter house very meaningful and special to all of the members that have resided here.

Because the house is a National Historical Landmark there are certain items in the house that must stay with in the house and cannot be removed.

And in addition to these items we recently found out that the grand piano which sits in our front room is quite old and valuable. So, with many thanks to our alumni we will be beginning a restoration process and we couldn't be more excited!