The Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Detroit has been awarded $200,000 in pandemic relief funds by the City Council to renovate their historic fraternity house, known as Alpha House, located in the Brush Park neighborhood.
Constructed in 1912 as a single-family residence, Alpha House has served as the fraternity’s headquarters since 1939, making it the oldest continuously occupied and longest-owned fraternity house of any Alpha Phi Alpha chapter. The building was designated a Michigan Historic Site in 1977 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
The fraternity has played a pivotal role in Detroit’s Black community, providing a gathering space during times when public and private establishments were segregated. Notably, Alpha House served as a safe haven for Black residents seeking refuge during the riots of 1943 and 1967.
The allocated funds will address architectural, structural, and building system needs, ensuring the preservation of this significant cultural landmark for future generations.
