UNC Invited To Celebrate Landmark

It's simply one of the few places on campus where the past meets the present, where history is displayed rather than being shelved.

Say what you will about the discomfort Memorial Hall's lack of air conditioning causes, but listening to the audience fan themselves while agreeing out loud with Bill Cosby made his performance last fall more enjoyable. The audience suffered together in the heat and glanced up at the 191 tablets memorializing UNC alumni.

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to the current incarnation of Memorial Hall, UNC's largest auditorium and a shrine to campus history. After 71 years of hosting notable speakers and performers, the auditorium will be getting its second face lift since 1885.

A larger stage, air conditioning and heat, more dressing rooms, modern lighting and sound systems will bring Memorial Hall into the 21st century. Future UNC students might even comfortably experience a full opera on Memorial Hall's stage with the added stage space.

During lunchtime this Friday, the public is invited to join former Provost Dick Richardson in recalling memories of Memorial Hall. From noon to 1:30 p.m., memories and stories of Memorial Hall over the decades will be rehashed.

There are far too many memories to print. More than 1,500 acts have appeared in the last 71 years at Memorial Hall, and the hall has also hosted University functions such as honor society inductions as well as University Day and Commencement activities.

Just like today's lineup of Memorial Hall headliners, past speakers and performers reflected our nation's progress -- our questions, our entertainment preferences, our politics. These performances and speeches gave UNC students a connection with the famous and a perspective on how Chapel Hill fits into the national scene.

In the early 1960s, the Isley Brothers, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul and Mary visited. A decade earlier, mostly classical musicians were invited.

Hugh Hefner and Strom Thurmond both made a stops in 1965. Civil Rights leader Julian Bond and Gerald Ford spoke in 1968, and W.H. Auden read in 1971.

Authors William F. Buckley, considered a right-wing extremist, and Norman Mailer, his left-wing counterpart, made appearances at Memorial Hall, along with author Gore Vidal, mime Marcel Marceau, comedian Lily Tomlin, anthropologist Margaret Mead and musician Dizzy Gillespie.

When Buckley spoke in 1962, there was a dispute over Buckley's $450 speaking fee. Event organizers were upset that Buckley's speech had been used at other events. A public argument ensued over Buckley deserving his fee since it was not new material. This seems ironic today with public speakers giving the same speech over and over on lecture circuits.

In the 1970s, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, singer Arlo Guthrie, feminist author Gloria Steinem, comedian Bob Hope, musician Patti Smith and even drug guru Timothy Leary came to Memorial Hall.

Most of Saturday Night Live's original cast amused Memorial Hall audiences three years before the NBC show premiered.

In 1983, the Chieftains and a new band called R.E.M. performed.

Comedian Dennis Miller, Gov. Terry Sanford, musician Bobby McFerrin, actor Richard Dreyfuss and author Toni Morrison have spoken as well -- the guest list for Memorial Hall has been as eclectic as our nation's history.

And this year, Memorial Hall has played host to a diverse group of speakers, ranging from controversial conservative David Horowitz to former Clinton adviser George Stephanopoulos.

Between Loreleis concerts, Noam Chomsky lectures and musical performances such as "Chicago," Memorial Hall's stage has been walked and danced on by many famous feet.

Before Memorial Hall's doors close this weekend for the renovation, let's sneak into the living source of so much UNC history. Let's remember how these hours in Memorial Hall have changed the way we think and how they have brought us together.

Columnist Katy Nelson can be reached at knelson@email.unc.edu.