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Personal Reflection/Anecdote

Headquarters Reminiscences

By Evelyn Barron

July 2, 1983…my first visit to Austin, Texas. I was attending the 2-week
Golden Gift Leadership/Management Seminar at the Hankamer School
of Business on the campus of Baylor University in Waco. Our Saturday
excursion brought us by chartered bus to Austin, where we were to visit the
LBJ Presidential Library, Lammes Candies, and the Delta Kappa Gamma
Headquarters building. Usually, such a trip would also have included a tour
of the Texas State Capitol; however, because of an electrical fire inside the
building in February 1983, the Capitol was closed to visitors at that time.
After spending a couple of hours at the LBJ Library and eating our box
lunches provided by Baylor, we returned to the bus and headed toward the
Capitol area. The bus took us past the Capitol building and then headed west
on 12th Street. Having no clear idea of where we were going or when we
would get there, I was casually looking out the window as we drove along.
We crossed a major street and drove past two run-down buildings and a line
of thick trees and shrubbery. Then we pulled to the curb and stopped. There
it was—the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Headquarters!
My first impression was of a
small, one-story building constructed
of pink brick and marble. I soon
learned that the street view was
deceptive. The front entrance was on
the second floor. Because the building
followed the contour of the land,
the back portion also had a lower
floor. The structure was in fact much
larger than it initially appeared.
Dr. Theresa Fechek, then
Coordinator of Program Services,
was standing outside the front door
and enthusiastically greeted us as
we approached the building. After
directing us to sign the guest book in the foyer, she gave us a “grand” tour, The front entrance at
416 W. 12th Street
pointing out distinctive features as we made our way through the building. has welcomed
The crowning glory of the main floor was the Annie Webb Blanton members and guests
Room, the “formal parlor” where receptions, special programs, and chapter since 1956.
meetings were held. It was graced by a grand piano, a luxurious sofa
positioned under a large wall mirror, a massive breakfront containing pieces
of Dr. Blanton’s china, and several occasional chairs and tables. Many of
the furnishings and works of art had been donated by state organizations.
A portrait of Dr. Blanton—the only portrait allowed in the building—hung
on the front wall of the room, opposite a wall of windows on the back.

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