Building Old West

On this day in 1822, the cornerstone of Old West was laid. The building was finished and in use by July of 1823. In 1848, additions were made to both Old West and Old East to accommodate the debating societies. Both the original Old West … Continue reading

On this day in 1822, the cornerstone of Old West was laid. The building was finished and in use by July of 1823.

In 1848, additions were made to both Old West and Old East to accommodate the debating societies. Both the original Old West and its additions were built using the labor of  enslaved African-Americans.

View of Old West, from Charles Lee Smith's History of Education in North Carolina.
Plan for the addition to the north ends of Old West and Old East, from the Alexander Jackson Davis Collection II, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Libary, Columbia University.
View of campus, including Old West, from the Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (#P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archive.

The postcard in the gallery above, postmarked 1911 and addressed to “Mr. H.B. Marrow, Raleigh, N.C.”, shows Old West. It reads:

Hello How are you getting on these hot days? I hope you are having a real good time — and be sure and don’t work too much. (?) I am having a fine time this summer. I suppose you will be back before very long now. Mama came home from Va. a few days ago. Sincerely, H.M.P.

For more on the history of UNC buildings, see the exhibit, “Architectural Highlights of Carolina’s Historic Campus.” For more on slavery and the history of UNC, see the Virtual Museum exhibit, “Slavery and the University.”