The Order of Doomgal was founded in 1889 when a group of UNC students decided that they wanted to create a society based on chivalry and Arthurian principals. After hearing a lecture on the disappearance of Peter Dromgoole, Edward Martin, William Davie, Shepard Bryan, Andrew Patterson, and Robert Bingham (the founders of the Order) decided to make Doomgal the society’s namesake. The Order of Doomgal eventually became the Order of the Gimghoul. The Order is only open by invitation to upperclassmen, male students, and some faculty members. It is an unsaid requirement that these students come from wealthy families and are involved in prestigious Greek fraternities on campus. What was once a society based on chivalry and brotherhood, has become a mostly social Order that reunites in secrecy at Gimghoul Castle.
-Tyler Hood
-Tyler Hood
Another place in Chapel Hill that is similar to Gimghoul Castle would be the Order's previous location-- a log cabin built on the corner of Rosemary and Boundary that they called the "lodge." Although the Order decided to tear it down so that they could use the materials for the building of the castle, its purpose and significance are still meaningful. Both structures were clearly built with the goal of having an intimidating presence that reflects the power and status of its members. The Order's "upgrade" to the menacing and statuesque castle is a perfect example of their attitude-- moving into a space so mysterious and symbolic of power was their way of reinforcing this idea about themselves to the community. Even more so is the fact that the location of the castle is much more exclusive than that of the previous lodge, which can be seen as a reflection of the elitism of the Order itself. It is hard to access, just like how it is hard (nearly impossible!) to become a member. The lodge was not nearly as telling of the order as the castle, but it still allowed the Order to have an intriguing presence and reputation since it was known as being the dwellings of a secret society.
ReplyDelete- Sarah Leonard