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The
Downfall of the Philomathesian Society at Middlebury
| Following
the Civil War, the Philomathesian Society experienced a sharp decline
in its popularity amongst students. This sharp decline correlates
with a rise in popularity in fraternities
and other extracurricular activities such as athletics.
The society was unable to satisfy the students growing social needs.
Fraternities, which had appeared upon th ecampus in the 1840's and
1850's, stepped in to fill this lack of fulfillment. The increase
in the fraternities influence forced a corresponding decrease in
the Philomathesian's influence. With a more exciting and, what was
described as a more intellectually satisfying way of enjoying literary
and social activities, the society's popularity fell until it dissapeared
from the campus entirely after the Civil War. |
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