The Temperance Society on campus was created as part of the larger nineteenth century temperance movement in the United States that promoted limiting the consumption of alcohol.

The Temperance Society was in existence on the Washington Campus at least by 1835, but was gone soon thereafter. Though it was not a long-lasting organization, most of the student body belonged to it. Formal student organizations such as the Temperance and Missionary Society soon lost their luster in favor of Secret Societies.

In 1884, the Secretary of the Episcopal Church Temperance Society spoke at Trinity College, asking it to consider forming a campus branch association. Students were polled for their opinions on the matter and the Secretary's request was met with a report stating, “as there was nothing for an organization of that kind to do in college, it would not be advisable to form one.”

The History of Trinity College (1967) by Glenn Weaver, p. 57.

Trinity Tablet, 03/08/1884.

Catalogue of Washington College (Officers and Students, Course of Study), 1834-1835.