The house was built for members of the men's social group, the Dons, who later became members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

The Don's (originally known as the DTDs) was a loosely organized group thought to have started out as intramural sport participants. They were given official recognition by the college administration and membership in the Inter-fraternal Council in the Fall of 1955, with the only joining requirement that the group change their name. John Gresham, who joined in 1959, says this was because DTD sounded "too Greek" and had the connotation of standing for "Down-Town Drunks," though he is unclear whether the nickname was intentional or deserved. During the Don's five-year history, they initiated 117 members, making it one of the most popular and leading clubs on campus.

Once the fraternity moved off campus the house was open to upperclassmen.