View source for Old Well

{{Short description|Landmark of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill}}
{{Other uses|Old Well (film)}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Old Well
| image = MJK49493 Old Well (Chapel Hill, North Carolina).jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = The Old Well
| location = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]
| coordinates = {{coord|35|54|43.4|N|79|3|4.5|W|region:US-NC_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| built = 1897
| website = [http://www.unc.edu/interactive-tour/landmarks/ The Old Well]
}}
The '''Old Well''' is a small, [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] [[Monopteros|cyclostyle]] on the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] campus at the southern end of McCorkle Place.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maps.unc.edu/CampusMaps/PdfMaps/2008Central_Campus_Map_A%26B_Index_11x17.pdf |title=Campus Map |publisher=Maps.unc.edu |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2012-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513142446/http://www.maps.unc.edu/CampusMaps/PdfMaps/2008Central_Campus_Map_A%26B_Index_11x17.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unc.edu/tour/LEVEL_2/well.htm |title=Old Well Tour Stop |publisher=Unc.edu |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2013-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213084301/http://www.unc.edu/tour/LEVEL_2/well.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&channel=s&hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Old+Well&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Old+Well,&hnear=Chapel+Hill,+NC&cid=4816741238449428376&ei=qHg7TLLjEoP98AbvwPCmBg&ved=0CBMQnwIwAA&ll=35.913175,-79.051244&spn=0.008672,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A |title=Google Maps |publisher=Google Maps |access-date=2012-12-07}}</ref> The current decorative form of the Old Well was modeled after the [[Temple de l'Amour|Temple of Love]] in the [[Gardens of Versailles]] and was completed in 1897.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/architecture/the-temple-of-love-versailles-1775-left-and-the-ol/ |title=The Carolina Story—Architectural Highlights of Carolina's Historic Campus |publisher=Museum.unc.edu |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2010-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610011548/http://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/architecture/the-temple-of-love-versailles-1775-left-and-the-ol/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>Madry, Sarah Brandes (2004). ''Well Worth a Shindy: the Architectural and Philosophical History of the Old Well at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill'', p. 157. iUniverse, Lincoln, NE. {{ISBN|0-595-30057-X}}.</ref> It is the most enduring symbol of [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|UNC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/names/old-well-1897/ |title=The Carolina Story—Names Across the Landscape |publisher=Museum.unc.edu |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2013-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223060806/http://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/names/old-well-1897/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Old Well fountain.jpg|thumb|left|The Old Well drinking fountain.]][[Image:Old Well 1892.jpg|thumb|left|The Old Well, here in a photo from 1892, served as the campus's sole water source for many years.]]
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]]. 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 As).

The Old Well is recognized as a National Landmark for Outstanding Landscape Architecture by the [[American Society of Landscape Architects]]. The Old Well is also used on the official stamp of all apparel licensed by the university.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/morton/index.php/2010/06/the-old-well-an-enduring-symbol/ |title=The Old Well, an enduring symbol &#124; A View to Hugh |publisher=Lib.unc.edu |date=2010-06-23 |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2013-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119110620/http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/morton/index.php/2010/06/the-old-well-an-enduring-symbol/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of its status as a symbol of the university, it is the target of vandals around the time of [[Carolina – NC State rivalry|Carolina – State]] sporting events.<ref name="WRAL">{{cite web |url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2461217/ |title=Tar Heels Unfazed by Old Well Vandals |date=20 February 2008 |publisher=WRAL.com |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2012-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402202608/http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2461217/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Kinston, North Carolina]], there is a replica of the Old Well, created to honor UNC alumnus Harvey Beech.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unc.edu/discover/a-small-towns-old-well-honors-a-trailblazing-tar-heel/ |title=A small town's Old Well honors a trailblazing Tar Heel |last=Holliday |first=Rob |date=February 26, 2021 |website=unc.edu |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227123104/https://www.unc.edu/discover/a-small-towns-old-well-honors-a-trailblazing-tar-heel/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beech was one of the first African-Americans to attend the [[University of North Carolina School of Law]].

==Old Well Walk==

On game days from the 2001–2012 football seasons, the [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|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 players. The Old Well walk started approximately two and a half hours prior to kickoff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/sports/football/unc-football-fan-guide-70901.shtml |title=2007 UNC Football Fan Guide |publisher=Chatham Journal |access-date=2012-12-07 |archive-date=2012-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310154407/http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/sports/football/unc-football-fan-guide-70901.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Old Well}}
* [http://www.unc.edu/tour/LEVEL_2/well.htm UNC Tour – The Old Well]

{{University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landmarks]]
[[Category:1897 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1897]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Water wells in the United States]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill buildings]]