The Delphic Society was founded in 1871 at the Geneseo State Normal School in upstate New York. With affiliation at other normal schools, the literary society became known as the Delphic Fraternity. Historic chapters of Delphic were also based at Oneonta, Jamaica, Cortland, New Paltz, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, NY, and Mansfield, PA.
The historic Zeta Chapter traces its history back to 1889 at the Normal School in New Paltz, N.Y. The Theta Chapter at Binghamton was formed in the spring of 2003.
The fraternity has had a rich and diverse history. In the 1930/1940s the organization's membership was composed of brothers of Christian and Jewish faith, which was uncommon for fraternities of the time.
In 1951 the Delphic Fraternity at New Paltz became briefly affiliated with the national organization of Sigma Tau Gamma, however, in 1953, the SUNY Board of Trustees ban all campus organizations from having national affiliations.
The Delphic Fraternity was incorporated in the state of New York in 1962. It is a prestigious regional organization and one of the oldest independent fraternities in the country.Today the organization is incorporated as The Delphic Fraternity, Inc. and known as Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau Fraternity.
It is represented by an active undergraduate chapter at Binghamton University and an alumni chapter at SUNY-New Paltz.
Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau is the first multicultural fraternity established on the east coast.
In 1959, during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, the first African-American member was initiated into the legendary Delphic brotherhood. During the late 60s, another African-American was inducted. Two brothers in the same era were from Lebanese and Syrian ancestry, and the first Delphic of Puerto Rican descent was inducted in 1970. Delphic believed and promoted multiculturalism before it became a phrase.
In 1967 Delphic brother Heinz Ahlmeyer was killed in Vietnam. He loved sports and contributed to the spirit and moral of each team he played with. The college recognized his outstanding athletic participation by naming an award after him. The Heinz Ahlmeyer Award is given each year to a New Paltz student who has shown outstanding dedication and inspiration in the field of athletics.
Greek letter organizations in the northeast saw a major drop in membership during the late 1960s and early 70s. Fraternities were seen as elitist groups by students of the turbulent times. After 1973 the Delphic chapter at New Paltz became inactive.