By Amalia Cochran, Alpha Delta Pi Foundation President, Zeta Lambda-Texas A&M Since March is Women’s History Month and we’re celebrating…
Later this year, Alpha Delta Pi will move our historic artifacts from the Adelphean Room located at the Cannonball House in Macon, Georgia, to our Memorial Headquarters in Atlanta to become part of The History Center, a new museum space scheduled to open before our 175th Anniversary celebration. Phi Mu Fraternity will move their artifacts from the Philomathean Room to their Executive Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, at the same time.
Our Cannonball House story began in 1941 when distinguished scientist and Wesleyan trustee Dr. Sara Branham, Alpha—Wesleyan, proposed a restoration of the original Adelphean Hall where our earliest members gathered until 1913 when sororities were banned from campus. The restored room was dedicated in 1942 and updated over the next 20 years with additional items, including portraits of our founders. In 1962, the college moved all operations to new buildings and abandoned the originals, leaving Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu with no place to store their artifacts.
The Sidney Lanier Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased the Cannonball House in 1962 to save it from destruction and serve as a museum and local headquarters. The building contained two parlors in need of content, and Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu recreated the Adelphean and Philomathean Rooms on the site. The timing worked out perfectly, as the Old Wesleyan buildings where the rooms were located were destroyed by fire in 1963.
Throughout the next six decades, the Cannonball House served as a stop on the “Macon Pilgrimage” taken by many Alpha Delta Pi sisters. Visitors enjoyed seeing our historic artifacts including Ella Pierce Turner’s writing desk, the original lighted transom, portraits of our founders, Adelphean-era furniture, Adelphean and Alpha Delta Pi jewelry, a diamond-shaped cake platter, and more.
“We look forward to welcoming these special pieces of our history to Memorial Headquarters,” said Alpha Delta Pi’s Executive Director Amanda Sloan, Alpha Beta—Iowa. “Alpha Delta Pi will always be grateful to the staff and volunteers of the Cannonball House—many of whom are ADPi alumnae—as well as the Friends of the Cannonball House for their dedication to sharing our history. We appreciate the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation for their many years of support for our Macon-area historic sites and displays and look forward to partnering on the next steps in our historic preservation efforts.”
Learn more about the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation’s Forever First campaign to preserve our collective history.
Published: February 10, 2023ATLANTA, GA – In recognition of the 43rd anniversary of our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation is thrilled to announce grants totaling $43,000 to eight local RMHC Chapters and the RMHC Global Ukraine Relief Fund from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation’s RMHC Endowment.
The selected Chapters will receive grants of $4,500 to $5,000 to support their unique needs and special projects. After careful deliberation, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation has selected the following local RMHC Chapters:
In addition to grants made to local RMHC Chapters, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation has awarded an RMHC Endowment Grant to Ronald McDonald House Charities in support of their efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding region. As part of the RMHC Global Ukraine Relief Fund, the organization is providing additional financial support to RMHC Chapters that serve families affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. To support these efforts, the ADPI Foundation will provide a gift in honor of each active collegiate chapter and alumnae association from the RMHC Endowment.
The RMHC Endowment was created as part of the Foundation’s landmark $10,000,000 We Believe Campaign in 2015. Collegiate chapters, alumnae, parents, and friends of Alpha Delta Pi have helped raise more than $1,000,000 to expand the reach of our philanthropic partnership with RMHC through this fund.
This is the 4th year RMHC Endowment grants have been awarded by the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation. In previous years, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation awarded more than $83,000 in grants through the RMHC Endowment to the following local RMHC Chapters:
About Alpha Delta Pi
Founded at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Ga., on May 15, 1851, Alpha Delta Pi was the first secret society established for college women. Its principles of scholarship, leadership, sisterhood and service guide more than 265,000 women in 155 active collegiate chapters and 158 alumnae associations of Alpha Delta Pi. The Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, a non-profit organization, offers funding for scholarship, grants, educational programming, and leadership training.
About RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through a global network of more than 260 Chapters in over 60 countries and regions, RMHC enables, facilitates and supports family-centered care through three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. RMHC programs help families with ill or injured children stay together and near leading hospitals and health care services worldwide, ensuring they have access to the medical care their child needs while fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care. For more information, visit RMHC.org.
Published: October 28, 2022ATLANTA, GA - In recognition of the 42nd anniversary of our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation is thrilled to announce grants to eight local RMHC Chapters from the Foundation’s RMHC Endowment.
The selected Chapters will receive grants of $2,500 to $5,000 each to support renovation and growth. After a lengthy decision process, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation has chosen the following recipients:
This is the 3rd year RMHC Endowment grants have been awarded by the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation. In previous years, the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation awarded $50,000 in grants through the RMHC Endowment to the following local RMHC Chapters:
The RMHC Endowment was created as part of the Foundation’s landmark $10,000,000 We Believe Campaign in 2015. Collegiate chapters, alumnae, parents, and friends of Alpha Delta Pi have helped raise more than $875,000 to expand the reach of our philanthropic partnership with RMHC through this fund.
“Alpha Delta Pi remains committed to helping RMHC keep families together and near the medical care they need,” said Tracy L. Garner, President, Alpha Delta Pi Foundation. “Our members raise more than a million dollars each year for RMHC, as well as volunteer countless hours, provide in-kind support through local wish list and pop tab drives, and even fundraise through the annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. We are proud to support the mission of RMHC and the difference they make in the lives of families facing medical crises.”
Published: October 29, 2021