Book and Snake Tomb

The building on the corner of High Street and Grove Street is the home of one of Yale’s most mysterious secret societies: Book and Snake. Sitting on a rectangular lot enclosed by an imposing iron fence with intermittent stone posts, the building’s sleek marble exterior and grand Greek-style columns on the front façade evoke a robust sense of importance (3). Like many other of Yale’s secret societies, this elaborate meeting hall is referred as a “tomb” and has no windows, further adding to the aura of mystery. The tomb was originally constructed as a gathering place for the Society of Book and Snake and it currently serves the same purpose. However, much like the contents of the interior of the tomb, the contents, purposes, and inner-workings of the society itself are shrouded in secrecy. (1,3)

The tomb was originally built for and is still owned by the Stone Trust Corporation, which is one of the previous aliases of the society (2,4). The society was originally founded as the Sigma Delta Chi Society in 1863. However, wanting to distinguish itself from fraternities, the society dropped the Greek title, changed its name to the Society of Book and Snake, and incorporated as the Stone Trust Corporation in 1876 (4). However, the building was not built until 1901, and, therefore, has only ever been inhabited by the society under the name of Book and Snake. 

Based on information obtained from Sanborn Fire Insurance maps and the archives of the New Haven Museum, the land on which the Tomb of Book and Snake sits was previously uninhabited and undeveloped (1). However, the site is directly next to the Yale Bicentennial Buildings of Hewitt Quadrangle including Woolsey Hall and the Schwartzman Center. Since both the Bicentennial Buildings and the Tomb were built at the turn of the 20^th century, it is very possible that the site was obtained by Yale University with the intention of it being the site of a bicentennial building. Nonetheless, the Tomb has allowed the site to match the classical style and important feel of its surrounding buildings for over 100 years. 

Since the building’s construction in 1901, it has served the sole purpose of a meeting hall for the Society of Book and Snake (2). Though the society has operated under other names such as Sigma Delta Chi and the Stone Trust Corporation, the Tomb has only belonged to the society since it took its current name, Book and Snake (4). Due to the secret and mysterious nature of the society, nothing is known about the actual activities and events that occur within the Tomb’s marble walls. 

The style and presence of the Tomb is consistent with the classical style and appearance of formal importance of the buildings within the Yale Central Complex on Grove Street between College Street and High Street (1). The off-white marble, eye-catching dome, and general classical style of the Yale Bicentennial Buildings (Schwartzman Center and Woolsey Hall) allow the buildings to appear significant and serve significant purposes as a central part of Yale’s campus (1). Though Book and Snake Tomb fits the classical mold of the buildings with which it shares a city block, the entrance of the Grove Street Cemetery faces the Tomb from across Grove Street. The Egyptian Revival columns and portico of the cemetery’s grand entrance noticeably contrast with the classical feel of the Tomb. Regardless, it cannot be argued that both the Tomb and the cemetery portray an ancient sense of importance from opposing sides of Grove Street. 

Just as the Secret Society of Book and Snake evokes an elite sense of importance, the Tomb of the society does just the same. The rectangular shape of its smooth marble exterior is only interrupted by four sturdy yet eloquent columns that support a grand triangular pediment surmounting the portico of the front façade (3). The two bronze doors that sit beneath the portico and between the columns are the only part of the Tomb that differs from the off-white shade of marble that covers the entire exterior. Aside from a partial internal renovation in 1933 and occasional upkeep of lighting and plumbing, the building remains unchanged from its original form (2).

Built in a Late-Classical Revival Style, Book and Snake Tomb is modeled after the classical temples of Ancient Greece. The four iconic columns of the front façade have capitals marked with patterns of leaves and vines, and show particular resemblance in both structure and style to the Greek Temple of Nike (3). These marble columns support the large and pronounced triangular pediment which adds to the Tomb’s striking similarity to its Ancient Greek counterpart. 

1.) Building archives and Sanborn Maps at the New Haven Museum

2.) New Haven Tax Accessor Database

3.) Cassaro, Richard. "The Occult Architecture of Yale University´s "Book & Snake" Secret Society." Richard Cassaro. July 14, 2017. Accessed February 23, 2018. https://www.richardcassaro.com/occult-architecture-yale-universitys-book-snake-secret-society.

4.) "Guide to the Stone Trust Corporation, Yale University, Records." Loading YUL Finding Aids. Accessed February 23, 2018. http://findingaids.library.yale.edu/HLTransformer/HLTransServlet?stylename=yul.ead2002.xhtml.xsl&pid=mssa%3Aru.0856&query=whiting&clear-stylesheet-cache=yes&hlon=yes&filter=&hitPageStart=751.

Photo: http://www.authorstephenwhite.com/Photo_Gallery/Book/book.html