Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower, UNC, Chapel Hill
The 172 foot tower is a functional bell tower capped by a pointed spire. The top of the tower houses the bells and an observation area. The base of the tower is a covered archway, with open access through three arches on each side. The belfry originally contained twelve manually operated bells. Today it houses fourteen mechanical bells. The surrounding hedge and lawn were designed by William C. Coker, a professor of botany at the University and the creator of the the campus arboretum.
The largest of the bells is inscribed with the name of Governor John Motley Morehead, the grandfather of John Motley Morehead III.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
November 26, 1931
35.908600 , -79.049200
"1982 NCAA trophy at Bell Tower," in the Hugh Morton Collection of Photographs and Films (#P081), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Link
"Bell Tower, University of N.C., Chapel Hill, N.C.," in the Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (#P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Link
"Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill," in the Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (#P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Link
"South Road and Bell Tower," in the Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (#P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Link
Lawrence Giffin, "Happy Birthday Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower!," For the Record (blog), November 23, 2011, (accessed December 10, 2012) Link
McNeill, Claire. "UNC senior Michael Crosa takes pride in controlling the Bell Tower's traditional tunes," dailytarheel.com (Chapel Hill, NC), December 6, 2011, (accessed December 10, 2012) Link
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower," The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Virtual Tour, accessed December 10, 2012 Link
Yes
Stone and brick
John Motley Morehead III and Rufus Lenoir Patterson II
The monument was dedicated to the University on Thanksgiving Day in 1931. Governor O. Max Gardner delivered the dedication address.
In the 1920s, John Motley Morehead III had proposed the idea of a bell tower to then UNC President Harry Woodburn Chase. Morehead wanted to place the tower on South Building but the university declined. In 1926, Morehead again proposed the town on top of plans for what would become the Wilson Library, however Wilson wanted a dome on top of the building. Morehead later suggested another location without success. The idea was finally realized through the combined sponsorship of Morehead and Patterson, a New York businessman. The tower is closed to the public, however each May graduating seniors may climb the tower to enjoy the view.
The tower sits on the east side of South Avenue, next to Fetzer Gym and near Kenan Stadium.
The surrounding landscape consists of the hedge and lawn area designed by William C. Coker. Pedestrian paths lead from the area to the stadium on one side and to the sidewalk along South Avenue on the other side.
Each May, graduating seniors may climb the tower for a view.
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