Holt House, located at 402 E 1st Ave in Monmouth, Illinois, is the historic site where Pi Beta Phi, one of the earliest women's fraternities, was founded on April 28, 1867. At that time, Monmouth College students Ada Bruen Grier and Libbie Brook Gaddis rented a second-floor bedroom in the home of "Major" Jacob Holt. In this room, they and ten other women established a secret society initially named I.C. Sorosis, which later adopted the Greek motto "Pi Beta Phi."
After the Holt family passed away, the house fell into disrepair. In 1939, Hugh Moffet, a neighbor and father of a Pi Phi member, purchased the property at a tax auction and transferred it to the fraternity. Following restoration efforts, Holt House was reopened on April 26, 1941. Today, it serves as a museum and event space, furnished to reflect the 1860s period and housing memorabilia related to Pi Beta Phi's history. The house is available for tours and can be rented for meetings, social events, and private gatherings.
In 2009, the Illinois State Historical Society recognized Holt House as a historic landmark. A dedication ceremony for a historical marker was held on October 8, 2009, and the marker is now placed in the southeast corner of the front yard.
Holt House remains a significant site for Pi Beta Phi members and the Monmouth community, symbolizing the origins of the women's fraternity movement. It is also listed among the museums and galleries in Monmouth, contributing to the city's cultural heritage.
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