Ten historic Cornell fraternities and sororities opened their doors Oct. 7 to about 150 people who took self-guided tours of the formal rooms and public spaces in the Gothic revival, Romanesque and Tudor mansions on North and West campuses.

The tour was a benefit for Historic Ithaca, a local preservation organization that "promotes the value and enhancement of our historic buildings and neighborhoods through education, advocacy and action."

The tour program says of the houses: "Constructed in the 1880s-1930s, these imposing structures represent the beginning of the Greek tradition at this Ivy League university, when fraternities not only provided much-needed housing and dining facilities but also social status and academic enrichment."

Docents explained noteworthy features and historical associations, and brothers and sisters took time during their fall break to discuss their current living arrangements and philanthropic activities.

"The Greek houses are much more than a place for the college students to live and socialize," said Susan Murphy, vice president of student and academic services, at a reception following the tour. "They are largely self-governing living and learning environments that promote the pursuit of fraternal ideals of independence, scholastic achievement and service to their various campuses and communities. While fraternity and sorority members represent a small fraction of our population, they disproportionately hold top positions in business, the political arena, our courts and even the U.S. presidency."

First stop on the tour was Llenroc, 100 Cornell Ave., home to Delta Phi fraternity, which was built as Ezra Cornell's private home. Construction began in 1867 on the 2.5-story mansion finished with a smooth-faced limestone (later called "Llenroc" after the university's founder) that was quarried on campus. The house features tall Gothic-arched windows and doors and a steeply pitched, slate-covered roof. Interior Gothic motifs are executed in black walnut, stained oak and limestone. A monumental central stair hall rises three flights. Interior elements include molded plaster ceilings, marble fireplace mantles, oak wainscoting and lead crystal chandeliers, one of which contains one of the five original prototype bronze casts of the Statue of Liberty.

Other houses on the tour included the Italian Renaissance style Kappa Alpha Theta, at 519 Stewart Ave., designed by William Henry Miller, who also designed McGraw Tower. It features a "Turkish smoking room," chestnut paneling and 5.5-foot-tall caryatids supporting the main salon's fireplace surround.

The Colonial Revival home of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, at 40 Ridgewood Road, was built in 1925-26 for Professor and Mrs. Ernest T. Paine. The Pi Kappa Phi house, Greentrees, No. 55 Ridgewood, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Walter Burley Griffin, who also designed Canberra, the capital city of Australia.

The reception was held at Greystone Lodge, home of Sigma Chi fraternity, 106 Cayuga Heights Road, and was sponsored by Sigma Chi and the Ithaca Motion Picture Project. Built as a private residence in 1919, Greystone Mansion became the home of Capt. Robert Treman and his new bride, dancer and silent film actress Irene Castle.