The Lambda billiard table was restored in the Summer of 2025 to bring it back to near original condition with new higher tech felt; new pockets; rebuilt and improved bumpers; leveling; woodwork restoration; and replacement of the molding that was originally between the base of the body and the top of the legs. It looks spectacular and plays better than new.
In 1960, brother Larry Harmon L’59 spearheaded the effort to add a billiard table to the lore of Lambda chapter. At the time, no one knew it would become one of the chapter icons. Larry found it for sale locally for the then princely sum of $300. It was a battle to convince the Brotherhood to spend the money, but Larry and those in favor of the acquisition eventually prevailed.
Serendipitously, the table was a perfect fit for the then-TV room, off the main living room at 8 Sherry Road. The TV room was relocated to the back area of the downstairs party room, where it eventually became a daily gathering place for Star Trek fans.
To quote Larry,
“The pool table became the center of attraction, not just for playing, but a gathering place for parties and Chapter events. There was always someone in line to take on the winner – the loser had to give up his cue. Women were not allowed to play but this changed when some talented Sage girls showed up. My wife Neena (a Sage girl) often challenged the winners and sometimes beat the men. It was humiliating for the guys to lose to the girls.“
The hours spent by the Brothers on the table paid off over the years, yielding school billiard champions, most notably brother Ed Mahardy L’65, a repeat winner. At almost any hour of any day, anyone passing by the House would see activity in the billiard room, which prominently protruded from the glass corner of the living area closest to Sherry Road.
When we moved out of the Chapter house, brother Angelos Tzelepis ‘L88 took custody of the table and stored and preserved it for many years. The table made its return to the Brotherhood when the new Chapter house was opened. It has a place of honor in its own room, surrounded by shelves of Brother mugs from years gone by.
After researching the design, it was determined that the table was likely a Brunswick table from the turn of the century. This was recently confirmed by a historian at the Brunswick company, who told us that it was likely a Brunswick Wellington model from circa 1908. Here is the drawing of the table as it came from the factory. We estimate that the table now has a value of between $8,000 – $12,000.
The Lambda billiard table was restored in the Summer of 2025 to bring it back to the condition it was probably in when it was built. New felt; new pockets; rebuilt bumpers; leveling; woodwork restoration; and replacement of the molding that was originally between the base of the body and the top of the legs [which we think disappeared during the disassembly and movement during its absence from the House]. It looks spectacular and plays better than new.
