Cornell University-Sigma Phi Fraternity House

Founded on February 26, 1897 at Vincennes University by William Raper Kennedy, James Thompson Kingsbury, George Martin Patterson, and Rolin Rosco James, it started as Tau Phi Delta, a literary society with fraternal ideals. Tau Phi Delta changed its name to The Sigma Phi Fraternity, United States in 1907 and began establishing new chapters that same year. With the establishment of the Fraternity’s first Canadian chapter in 1984, the organization’s name was changed to The Sigma Phi Fraternity, International. The Fraternity was the first of its kind to be founded west of the Ohio Valley and a charter member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference. Today, Sigma Phi consists of 136 active collegiate groups, dozens of alumni clubs, and over 100,000 initiates.

Grand Light was selected to completely restore the historic fixtures in the home located on the the Cornell University Campus in Ithica, NY. There are several different types of fixtures including chandeliers, wall sconces, ceiling mounted fixtures and outdoor lanterns. There is a total of seventeen orginal fixtures that were restored by the Grand Light artisans. Physical restoration consisted of the repair and replacement of any parts that were missing, broken, or damaged. Replacements matched the original parts in strength and appearance. Electrical restoration consisted of the replacement of all electrical components and wiring. Luminaires were wired with UL listed components and tested in accordance with UL standards.