What Is the Sphinx Tomb?
The Sphinx Tomb is the headquarters of Dartmouth College’s Sphinx Society!
What Makes It Historical?
Inspired by the Temple of Dendur, an actual Egyptian temple now housed inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mr. William Butterfield designed this poured concrete temple/tomb for the Sphinx Society, the oldest of 14 (secret) senior societies at Dartmouth College! This senior society got its start in 1885 with 14 male students and rituals that have never been made public! Some suspect the Sphinx Society does community service, while other suspect mischief (like a $12,000 scavenger hunt/heist back in 1989)! All we non-initiates know for sure is the Sphinx Society selects new members from the junior class each year during the Winter Carnival, a process called tapping! Members don’t reveal their membership until graduation, when they carry a specific cane to the ceremony!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Hanover Historical Society!
- Donate to Dartmouth College!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
E. Wheelock Street and Observatory Road
Hanover, NH 03755
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Visit the outside whenever you like, but you’ll only get inside as a member of the Sphinx Society!