The Union Literary Society was established at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) on March 31, 1876, the first literary society on campus. The purpose of the society was the literary, moral, and social enlightenment of its members. The first meeting was held on April 8, 1876 in No. 7 Williams Hall. At the first meeting, the constitution was drawn up and signed. Subsequent meetings were held in the English classroom in College Hall and later in Wells Hall.

At first, the existence of the society was kept secret, but eventually word got out, drawing jeers from members of fraternities. In 1877, the Union Literary Society procured a charter and was given rooms in the basement of Wells Hall to use for meetings. In 1891, with the assistance of alumni, a building was erected in order for the society to hold literary and social meetings. The building was purchased by the college in 1925 and the society moved to a new location on Albert Avenue and then later to Valley Court.

The Union Literary Society and the AeTheons were initiated into Delta Chi Fraternity in 1935. (Michigan State News, January 8, 1935)