The Old Well is a small, neoclassical rotunda located on the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...

campus at the southern end of McCorkle Place. The current decorative form of the Old Well was modeled after the Temple of Love in the

Gardens of Versailles The Gardens of Versailles (french: Jardins du château de Versailles ) occupy part of what was once the ''Domaine royal de Versailles'', the royal demesne of the château of Versailles. Situated to the west of the palace, the gardens cover so ...

and was completed in 1897. It was designed by the university registrar Eugene Lewis Harris (1856-1901), an artist and 1881 graduate of the institution, who served as registrar from 1894 to 1901. It is the most enduring symbol of UNC. Old Well fountain

The Old Well is located between Old East and Old West residence halls. For many years, it served as the sole water supply for the university. In 1897, the original well was replaced and given its present signature structure by university president

Edwin A. Alderman Edwin Anderson Alderman (May 15, 1861 – April 30, 1931) served as the President of three universities. The University of Virginia's Alderman Library is named after him, as is Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School in Wilmington and Alderman do ...

. In 1954, the university built benches, brick walls, and planted various flower beds and trees around the Old Well. Passers-by can drink from a marble water fountain supplying city water that sits in the center of the Old Well. Campus tradition dictates that a drink from the Old Well on the first day of classes will bring good luck (or straight A's). The Old Well is recognized as a National Landmark for Outstanding Landscape Architecture by the

American Society of Landscape Architects The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a professional association for landscape architects in the United States. The ASLA's mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship ...

. The Old Well is also used on the official stamp of all apparel licensed by the university. Because of its status as a symbol of the university, it is the target of vandals around the time of Carolina - State sporting events. In

Kinston, North Carolina Kinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States, with a population of 21,677 as of the 2010 census. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791. Kinston is located in the coastal plains region of ...

, there is a replica of the Old Well, created to honor UNC alumnus Harvey Beech. Beech was one of the first African-Americans to attend the

University of North Carolina School of Law The University of North Carolina School of Law is the law school of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Established in 1845, Carolina Law is among the oldest law schools in the United States and is the oldest law school in North Caro ...

Old Well Walk

On game days from the 2001-2012 football seasons, the North Carolina Tar Heels football team traveled from the team hotel and was dropped off in the center of campus, which is the Old Well. From there, the team walked from the Old Well through Tar Heel Town and into the Kenan Football Stadium. This walk was usually packed with fans hoping to see their favorite player(s). The Old Well walk started approximately two and a half hours prior to kickoff.

References

External links

UNC Tour – The Old Well
{{Authority control University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landmarks 1897 establishments in North Carolina Buildings and structures completed in 1897 Neoclassical architecture in North Carolina Water wells in the United States University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill buildings