Sorority and Fraternity Keys

As I am cataloging keys, every now and then I run across a sorority or fraternity key. These keys will be accompanied by the typical Greek lettering and organizational pride that is very unironically still part of this sub-culture. I did not attend a college that had "Greek life" as it is so called, so I have always been more than a little curious about the trappings that  make these organizations so popular in American undergraduate institutions. Perhaps we can learn something more about them from their keys.

Most of the tags that we have in our sorority and fraternity sections are not attached to individual keys. These tags are tied to the collective ceremonial keys that have the appropriate Greek lettering. From what I've gathered, many Greek life organizations revolve around the house, and to that house there are undoubtedly keys.

To be entrusted with the key to a sorority or fraternity house implies a great power an responsibility. Some houses are small, with just a few inhabitants, but some of the bigger houses can hold hundreds people. Having the key to "the house" is very attune to being a member of a club, being trusted to not give access to those outside of the accepted circle. Of course this type of elitism leads to toxic exclusivity, and can lead to some of the negative stereotypes of the typical sorority or fraternity house.

Despite their national reputation, sorority and fraternity are more popular than ever as an increasing percentage of young people are attending college. The benefits of Greek life are so often understated that many of the detractors against these organizations fail to recognize them. Sororities or fraternities offer young men and women positions of leadership and responsibility that goes beyond just having a key to the house. They are spaces in which young people can create their own worlds, and that is a valuable experience to some as they turn of age.The keys on our wall represent the pride that people hold for these organizations.

by Adam Dohn

Key Puns: The funny-bone of the Keyroom

One thing that has consistently drawn me to the Key Room is all the clever key puns. My personal favorite, the Mon"key", is low hanging fruit, but some puns are far more thoughtful. Por"key"pig is popular amongst our guests, as is Mick"key" Mouse, another Disney creation.

 

Looking around, it is obvious to see that our collection contains two general types of keys, functional keys, and novelty keys. It seems to me that most of the key puns fall into the novelty category. Many advertisements that use key in a play on words also fall into this novelty category. Things like "the Key to Foot Comfort" and "the Key to Smoking Perfection", are good copy when it comes to advertising, but pretty poor in their play off of the word key.

A good pun requires good word play, timing, and, most importantly, humor. That is something I think a lot of these key puns lack, they are just cheap copy to get people to buy foot cream or tobacco. However, the spirit of this museum comes from those who donated the key, and not just the keys themselves. The stories behind how each key ended up here is what's important, and that is what I hope to tell through out this summer!

Introductions & Event Alert!

Hey y'all!

It's a beautiful sunny day in Estes Park and we would like to introduce another one of our Museum Curators for this 2020 Summer season: Danielle New!

My name is Danielle and I am a graduate student in Museology (Museum Studies) at the University of Washington. With a background in anthropology and art, I am passionate about telling stories through powerful exhibitions. The last exhibition I curated, Surreal, was an interdisciplinary exploration of dreams and the subconscious that featured over 15 artists, scientists, writers, and makers of all kinds. I believe that access to art and culture is a human right, and this summer at Baldpate I am looking forward to creating one-of-a-kind experiences for our in-person visitors and beyond.

Event Alert! Join us next Wednesday, June 17th at 7 PM for the first installment of our annual Summer Enchanted Evenings series. Bruce Davies will be discussing the History of Women in Rocky Mountain National Park. Please call 970-568-5397 to reserve your spot for the in-person event. Seats are going fast! You can also tune into our live-stream on the Baldpate Inn YouTube Channel. See you then!

Written by Danielle New
Museum Curator

Kentuc"key"

Today's special key comes to us from the city of Danville Kentucky. With a beautiful bow, (the end of the handle) this key stood out to me by looks alone. This key came to us in a protective case that pales in comparison to the key inside it. The bit (the part that goes in the lock) of this key is a symmetrical shape that reminds me of a space invader.

There is not attached any information about who brought this key to us, but judging by the design I would guess that it came from a government official who worked for the city of Danville. This type of key is symbolic, and is given out in recognition in service to a city, much like the "key to the city" trope used in superhero comics.

The most impressive part of this key is, by far, the ornate design of the bow. Encircled by an imprinted wreath lies the seal of the city of Danville. This seal contains, in clockwise order, the scale of justice, the staff of Hermes or the caduceus, a lit oil lamp, a homestead, two opposing scrolls, and in the center is a star. Each one of these symbols is meant to represent a historic "first" attributed to the city of Danville. The scale is to represent the first court house in Kentucky established in 1785 while Kentucky was still a territory and not yet a state. The Staff of Hermes represents the first laparotomy, an operation performed by a physician from Danville, Dr. Ephraim McDowell. While these symbols have be easy to determine, the rest of them are far more vague. I'm assuming that the oil lamp is meant to represent the first post office west of the Allegheny mountains. The homestead could be associated with the first capital of Kentucky being located in Danville. The twin scrolls could be because the first constitution of Kentucky was written and signed in Danville. As far the star, any guess is a good as mine. I believe that it is included in the seal simple for design purposes and holds not exterior symbolism at all.

All the little things about this key is why I love our museum so much. The amount of information contained within the small package of a key can be so enlightening, whether this is in the design of the key or within the teeth themselves. There is a code behind each key, no matter how big or small, and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed cracking these codes.

Written by Adam Dohn
Museum Curator

Howdy, y'all!

Today in the Key Room, I am cataloging all they keys donated in the 2019 season. It is fascinating to read each tag of each key and feel the weight of love, grief or just boredom (key tag of the day "I just like keys") that each key carries with it.
I would like to take a moment to thank all our lovely key donors for their generosity. I hope you all make it back here one day to find your keys adorning the ceilings and walls of the Baldpate Key Room.

Never Too Old to Change

Hello again! Today is opening day and I cannot wait to meet everyone who is able to come out to the Baldpate Inn this summer!

Today I would like to give y'all a little update on the Keyroom's hours for this summer, as we are working with the ever-changing guidelines.

Guests are now able to dine in the Keyroom! This is Baldpate's first time offering seating in the Keyroom for guests to be amazed by the Key Collection as well as our tasty soups and salads.
As such, the Museum hours have changed to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Our new hours are:

Daily*
8 am-11 am
2 pm-5 pm
7 pm-10 pm

We have been working tirelessly to find the best way to provide our Baldpate Family the timeless experience you know and love.

*these hours are subject to change

The San Diego Club, Room 504

I found today's key in our "Orphan Key" collection. Our orphan keys include keys that have lost their tags, or the tags become so faded they are no longer legible. Luckily, they are up for "adoption," so if you forget to bring a key to the Baldpate, there are keys in dire need a loving donor. Looking through the basket of orphans, this key jumped right out to me. Its distinct circular red tag has a beautiful design that begs attention.

This key comes from sunny San Diego, as is clear from the tag. With a quick search of the National Register of Historic Places,  I have gathered from the building's registration that the San Diego Athletic Club was a place of wealth and cultural development.

Athletic clubs were a prominent part of city life in the early twentieth century and were created to hep foster business connections and social lives. The San Diego Athletic Club was proposed by Colonel Ed Fletcher in 1924, and a group of local San Diego businessmen undertook the project. Constriction of the building was completed in 1928.

The San Diego Club (or San Diego Athletic Club) was designed  in an Art Deco Ziggurat and Late Gothic Revival style. Meant to enhance the life and business of San Diegans, the Club was to be housed in an affluent building. The interior featured 96 sleeping rooms, two solariums, four hand-ball courts, a gymnasium, swimming pool, main lounge, main dining room, grill, ladies’ dining room and lounge, and a separate exclusive entrance for ladies (1). Standing 12 stories high, the San Diego Club was a social hub and clubhouse available to those who could afford membership.

The Club fell into financial hardship during the Great Depression but survived through the 1940's, Increasing debts into the '50s put immense finical stress on the club, and there were doubts that the San Diego Club would survive. While the Club managed to stay open into the '60s, it wasn't long for this world as changing times made Club membership less of a social necessity for upper class San Diegans . The building was sold in 1965 and, in 1968, the Club was converted into office spaces for the publishing firm Harcourt.

In 2010, the City of San Diego published plans to turn the building into a homeless shelter and resource center, including a medical clinic and social services center. In 2012, Turner Construction Company spent $24 million returning the building to its original state. Affirmed Housing now owns the building and uses it for interim housing for the homeless and to provide housing assistance, education, and employment services (2).

If I had to guess, I would say this particular key was created in the 1930's, after the Club was renamed the San Diego Club. This story goes to show that nothing is permanent, and even the most prestigious institutions are subject to the changing times. As the Baldpate Inn enters its 103rd consecutive year of operation, we are pressed to think about all those who have come and gone during this time.




Written by Maddie Anderson, KeyRoom Curator