The Williams Chapter of Alpha Delta Phi was an outgrowth of a chapter of Beta Theta Pi, which was founded in 1847. At that time there were no chapters of Beta Theta Pi in the East, so the Williams Chapter, in an effort to remedy that situation, founded a chapter in Brown University in 1848. The abandonment of Beta Theta Pi at Brown was a great blow to the Williams Chapter and eventually resulted in the death of the Chapter at Williams. The Williams group then thought of applying for a chapter of Psi Upsilon but a second group at Williams, which had in it strong men, had in the meantime applied for a charter of Alpha Delta Phi. Feeling that two new fraternities were too many for Williams, the old Beta Theta Pi group likewise applied for a charter of Alpha Delta Phi.

Thus the two groups combined and a charter was granted July 1, 1851, when 25 men were initiated into the Williams Chapter. Several Brothers of the Yale Chapter brought the Williams Chapter initiates into the Fraternity. As there were not enough badges to go around, the first appearance of the initiates did not occur until July 9, at a college meeting when such an excitement was caused that the meeting adjourned at once without taking up the matter for which it had been called.

Naturally the Beta Theta Pi fraternity resented the action that its Williams Chapter had taken. The Williams Chapter was declared defunct and it was further stated: “that in view of the recent breach upon our Association we would suggest the propriety of a judicious extension of Beta Theta Pi mainly that of the West.”

The society had had various lodges up to 1865, until, in October 1869, a permanent home for the Chapter was completed. On the fifth day of November the hall was dedicated to Alpha Delta Phi. In 1880 a handsome porch was erected to the memory of one of the Brothers by his family and Brothers of Alpha Delta Phi associated with him in College.

The latter part of July 1894, a new house was begun, and on March 30, 1895, was occupied for the first time by the Chapter. In 1906 the Lodge was built, and seven years later a library was added to the house, giving it total accommodations for approximately 25 Brothers.

The Chapter continued to function during World War II, and with the reoccupation of its house in 1946, resumed its position of strength on the Williams campus.

In 1968, Williams College discontinued all fraternities, and the Williams Chapter was closed. An attempt was made to reestablish the Chapter through the formation of the “Adelphic Literary Society of Williamstown” in 1975. Although some 25 young men participated in this effort, it was to no avail, there being implacable opposition from the college.