
Pre-1915 photograph of C&G, "the Castle on the Corner," taken from the Green
'Casque and Gauntlet' (also known as 'C&G') is the oldest of the eight senior societies at
Dartmouth College as of 2006. C&G was founded in
1886 and moved to its current location at 1 South Main Street in
1893. The house was built in
1823 by Samuel Alden, and in
1915 the society installed a rear addition designed by
Paterson, New Jersey architect Fred Wesley Wentworth, a founding member. The house is the oldest and longest-occupied of any society at Dartmouth.
C&G membership is co-ed, exclusive and not secret. Members of C&G nominate and select tappees as a group. Tapping takes place at a time semi-coordinated with the other senior societies by the College, usually around
Winter Carnival. Following the inception of coeducation at Dartmouth in 1972, the class of
1979 delegation voted unanimously to nominate women for membership. The first six women members of C&G joined the class of
1980 delegation.
While C&G's membership is not secret, some elements of the society are kept secret. Society meetings, held — like all Dartmouth senior societies — on Monday nights, are closed; the initiation ceremony and other details are also kept secret.
Elements of the legend of
King Arthur, particularly the
Round Table of Camelot and
Holy Grail, are central inspirations and symbols of the society. The president of each delegation is called "King Arthur", the vice president is "Merlin" and other members bear the names of knights (and sometimes ladies) from the legend.
Notable members of past delegations include Theodor Seuss Geisel (
Dr. Seuss),
Nelson Rockefeller,
David T. McLaughlin,
James Nachtwey, and
Robert Reich.
References
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Senior societies tap new members David Kung
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Castle on the corner unites knights in colorful tradition Jacqueline Rose
See also
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Dartmouth College student groups
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List of collegiate secret societies
External links
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Official site