Which fraternity is credited with the first fraternity house?

• A. Chi Psi (University of Michigan)
• B. Delta Upsilon (Union College)
• C. Phi Beta Kappa (William & Mary)
• D. Sigma Chi (Miami University)

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how fraternities began using dedicated houses as a central place for living, meetings, and activities. Chi Psi, founded at Union College in 1841, is widely credited with establishing the first fraternity house, setting a precedent that a single building could symbolize and sustain a fraternity’s communal life. This move helped standardize the house as a core part of fraternity culture and influenced many groups to follow suit.

Delta Upsilon, though older as a fraternity and notable for being the first non-secret society, is not tied to the earliest house in the same way Chi Psi is. Phi Beta Kappa is an honor society, not a social fraternity, so its history isn’t about fraternity houses. Sigma Chi, founded later at Miami University in 1855, contributed to the growth of the house tradition, but the earliest recognized example remains Chi Psi’s. Note that Chi Psi’s origin is at Union College, not the University of Michigan, which is sometimes misstated in quick references.