The Kentucky Chapter was off and running as a bona fide chapter in the fall of 1951. All the preliminaries of forming a club, getting local IFC approval, and being formally chartered as the 12th FarmHouse Chapter were history

Approxiamtely 13 members moved into the first chapter house at 121 Conn Terrace under the capable leadership of Prsident Lynwood Schrader. These members did not realize that the Conn Terrace residence would be their home away from home for the next five years. As with any new home the chapter had to acquire necessities such as furniture, drapes, floor covering, and kitchen equipment as well as numerous smaller items.

The beginning members owe a special debt of gratitude to Dwight Seath, Stanley Wall, David Reid, John Foster, Charles Barnhart, and others on the Association Board and the Faculty Advisory Committee during that first year. These men gave their time and services in making and acquiring the necessary furnishings. Much credit must also be given to the members of the Wives and Mothers Club, principally Martha Seath, Ruby Survant, Helen Scheidenhelm, Ruby Wall, Mom Josephine Urmstron, and others for their donations of time and energy in helping to raise money and make needed drapes, curtains, and other furnishings for the house. Had it not been for these women, FarmHouse at Kentucky might not have survived the trauma of the first years of existence.

There were other pressing needs in addition to the physical acquisitions. The chapter's Constitution and By-Laws were rewritten. The young men of FarmHouse were busy establishing their identity on campus as well as keeping financially solvent during the first five years. Much of the credit for this successful accomplishment must be given to the high caliber men serving as officers during those early years. History is often kind to the presidents and a few isolated individuals, but often the efforts of the business managers and other key officers go unnoticed. Individuals such as James Johnson, Kenneth James, Melbourne Brough, Noel Stevens and others should not be over looked. It was through the efforts of these men that rent collected, the bills were paid, and financial records were established.

Fred Williams should be commended for his contributions in those early days. Because of his outgoing personality in his association with various groups on clubs on campus, FarmHouse became well known and respected as a fraternity of scholarship, leadership, and activities. Fred devoted much of his time and effort to promoting FarmHouse. Much of its growth and development during the early days can be directly attributed to his efforts.

Through the years the Kentucky Chapter has been especially fortunate to have had some very wonderful and dedicated housemothers. Although it is difficult to single out any one housemother, it does seem appropriate in discussing this early history to say a few words about Mrs. Josephine Urmston, who served faithfully as housemother for the first ten years. Mom Urmston is remembered by those early member as a brave and courageous person with high moral and ethical standards. She was a valuable asset to the chapter in many ways. Mom's door was always open, and she made a point to talk with each boy. She believed strongly in the values and high standards of FarmHouse, and she did much to bring out the best in each of her boys.

Over the years three other housemothers followed her outstanding example in their service and contributions to the fraternity: Mrs. Scottie Arnold, Mrs. Elizabeth Unsworth, and Mrs. Lee Coatney. Mom Arnold served faithfully until her terminal illness forced retirement. Mom Unsworth served ten years in a most unselfish and admirable way. Mom Lee, who came in 1986, continues the tradition that Mrs. Urmstrom, Mrs. Arnold, and Mrs. Unsworth established.

It was during this time that the chapter experienced growing pains. Five years after the chapter was chartered, it had outgrown its first home. The small frame house on Conn Terrace, which accomodated a maximum of 18 men had no room for expansion. This location was a good distance from the center of campus, which prompted efforts to locate nearer to the heart of campus.

After considerable searching, the Association Board acquired a larger house at 404 Rose Street in the summer of 1955. This house had the major advantage of being roomier inside and much nearer campus. Both the basement and upstairs floor were suitable for living quarters. This house did not have a separate study room, but the added space more than made up for this.

FarmHouse had now been on campus long enough to get involved in a number of University and community related activities. The chapter excelled in scholarship from the very beginning. FarmHouse has always prided itself on obtaining the high scholastic average semester after semester. The Triangle Fraternity (all engineers) was the only fraternity that gave FarmHouse any scholastic competition during those years. By now the FarmHouse name was highly respected by students and administrators.

FarmHouse expanded its role outside the College of Agriculture during this era to become involved in campus activities such as homecoming float contests, push cart derby entries, Little Kentucky Derby participation, interfraternity sporting events, and others. The men of FarmHouse won the interfraternity basketball championship in 1956. Until that time, only the larger fraternities such Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Kappa Alpha had won.

The chapter made its third move in the summer of 1958 to 316 Aylesford Place. This was only a few blocks from the house on Rose Street. The Association had rented the two previous houses, but a loan of approximately $24,000 was obtained for the purchase of the three-story brick house. A rather substantial mortgage was assumed since the Association had accumulated only a small down payment. The Wives and Mothers Club, faculty members, alumni, and chapter officers again combined in a mighty effort of making shutters, drapes, curtains, and other items in addition to painting the interior to make the house more habitable.

This house was satisfactory for the six to eight years until the membership exceeded thirty. The chapter found itself struggling with the problem of overcrowded conditions. The old brick house, which had been relatively maintenance free in earlier years, was beginning to show the wear and tear of fraternity living and was in serious need of some major repairs. This would be expensive and still not solve the main problem of inadequate space. In 1964, a search began to find a larger and more suitable home for FarmHouse, but nine more years passed before another move was made.

After all the excitement of the Conclave had subsided the perennial problem of housing resurfaced. But this time things began to fall into place. FarmHouse was given first option to lease the former Kitten Lodge football house located on fraternity row. This was the result of many long hours of consultation and negotiation with University officials by Harvey Hamilton, Gerald White, Joe Ross, Dennis Liptrap, Stanley Wall and others. When the house was finally acquired as the permanent home of the Kentucky FarmHouse Chapter, its dedication ceremony on October 14, 1973 was the reward of many long years of struggling for improved housing.

The dedication was a most important event in the history of the Kentucky Chapter. To commemorate this special occasion a number of University of Kentucky officials, and alumni and friends of FarmHouse were present. A plaque listing the names of those on the committees responsible for acquiring the house was presented to the chapter. It now resides in a most conspicuous place in the chapter living room above Mom Arnold's picture.

The acquisition of this house ended more than two decades of hard work and perseverance by many people. Special recognition must be given to numerous individuals for their untiring efforts in making this a reality. In addition to those mentioned previously, special thanks are also extended to those who, through the years had a part in working toward improved housing: Glenn Adams, Donald Applegate, Harry Bailey, Garnett Bradford, Ernest Clifford, Edward Fuchs, James Gooch, John Matheny, Loys Mather, Rudy Rutledge, William Smith, Philip Westerman and Samuel Whitaker.