Honoring History

Three buildings on campus are listed in the National Register of Historic Places -- Old East Residence Hall, The Carolina Inn and Playmakers Theatre.

Being listed in the register is the highest honor that can be placed on a historic building.

Paul Kapp, UNC campus historic preservation manager, said the architecture and conditions of buildings are visible reminders of the campus's history.

"You're in a certain time when you walk through campus," Kapp said.

The Carolina Inn, completed in 1924, was added to the register in 1999 because of its architectural and social significance to the history of the University. "Back in 1924, there was no other hotel," said Margaret Skinner, marketing director for The Carolina Inn. "(The Carolina Inn) was where many of the important meetings took place."

Significant for its age and architecture, Old East was completed in 1795, during the first stage of building on campus.

Playmakers Theatre is also on the register for architecture. The building, completed in 1851, is used primarily for theater and other performances.

Other buildings and areas on UNC's campus might soon join the list of historic places.

The Future Naval Officers Association is trying to get a nomination for the Naval Armory to be added to the National Register.

The building provided a training location for all of the naval aviators of World War II.

The Naval Armory is projected to be torn down in 2005 to make way for the construction of a science complex as part of UNC's Master Plan.

Along with the this site, many other buildings in the area have some sort of historical or social significance.

Before being considered for the list, a building or site must receive a nomination stating its importance to the history of the area.

"I would personally like to see Person Hall nominated," said Kapp. The hall was built by a black stonemason in the earliest stages of the school's founding in the 1790s.

Another area of campus that might eventually be considered for nomination as a historic area is Polk Place because of its connection to former president James K. Polk, who studied at UNC.

To be considered for the National Register, a site or building must be at least 50 years old, have some architectural, social or religious significance or be connected to an important person or event that influenced history.

Two important factors in the process of deciding what is put on the list are significance and integrity as they relate to the history of the area in question.

Kapp said an interesting feature of the campus is the various stages of development that occurred as the University grew in size over 200 years.

The buildings were built in stages of history, including pre-Civil War, turn of the century and World War II.

And plans for more expansion are under way as old buildings are removed or renovated to make room for a larger student body on campus.

Kapp said, "The beauty of the Carolina campus is that it evolved over a number of generations, and we can see those generations."

The Features Editor can be reached at features@unc.edu.