In 1789, William Richardson Davie wrote the act that established the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the first public university in the nation. In 1913 a Confederate Monument known as 'Silent Sam' was placed in McCorkle Place, a position on campus known as the front door of the University. In 2018, after decades of opposition, the statue was taken down by students and community members.
The events in 1789, the events in 1913, and the events in 2018 are different in motivations, but these events all represent Carolina and its history.
A statue no longer stands at the entrance to this university, but we want to make McCorkle place a space that tells our history honestly - the good and the bad. Envision Carolina proposes creating a set of arches to be placed in the McCorkle Place, near where Silent Sam once stood. These arches would act as a true entrance to the University and would represent every aspect of Carolina's history. We want to use these solid structures to depict moments and achievements in our history, from our beginnings as the country's first public university, to iconic sports moments, to social movements where the Carolina community fought to recognize viewpoints that have been overlooked for too long.
Envision Carolina needs your help. If you believe in reshaping McCorkle place through recognizing the stories of the Carolina Community, join us in telling the history of UNC in an honest and inclusive way. Please sign our petition to request that the University hears our proposition.
