The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery: A Historical Legacy

Origins and Purpose

The cemetery's roots trace back to a land grant bestowed by the State of North Carolina in 1796. This grant aimed to develop the University of North Carolina, and the cemetery initially served as the final resting place for faculty and students.

The University's Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies were pioneers in establishing burial plots and remain active campus organizations. The earliest recorded burial, in 1798, commemorates 19-year-old George Clarke, although the stone marking his grave dates from the mid-19th century.

Notable 19th-century stone carver George Launder of Fayetteville contributed several monuments within the Di and Phi enclosures. Additionally, British stonemasons, originally hired to construct Raleigh's state capitol in 1840, left their mark on other memorials.

Dr. Joseph Caldwell and the Name Change

Dr. Joseph Caldwell, the University of North Carolina's first official president, was interred here in 1835. However, in 1846, his remains were moved to a monument on McCorkle Place, the main campus.

Initially known as the "College Graveyard," the cemetery continued to be affectionately called the "Village Cemetery" by local residents.

Segregation and Memorialization

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Chapel Hill lacked black church cemeteries. Consequently, enslaved individuals from the village found their final resting place in a segregated section (Sections A and B) of the cemetery.

A low rock wall still stands, separating Sections A and B from the other sections (I, II, III, and IV). The large sandstone obelisk in Section B honors the black servants of the University and originally stood at McCorkle Place. It was later replaced by a granite obelisk in the late 19th century.

Many fieldstones in Sections A and B mark the graves of unknown Black individuals.

Diverse Burials and Commemoration

Over the years, the cemetery has witnessed the internment of administrators, professors, teachers, public officials, prominent business figures, and local artists and entertainers.

During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers found their eternal rest here, their graves marked by "C.S.A." stones. Veterans from subsequent wars also lie at peace within its grounds.

Expansion and Stewardship

In 1928, the cemetery expanded to its present boundaries. In 1954, the final plot was sold. The cemetery has been considered full for decades with just a handful of open legacy plots reserved for Tarheel legends like Dean Smith.

In 1922, the University and the Town of Chapel Hill entered an agreement for the Town to maintain the cemetery and oversee lot sales. However, it wasn't until 1989 that the University officially deeded the common areas of the cemetery to the Town.

A Unique Place in North Carolina History

The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery stands as a testament to the diverse individuals who shaped Chapel Hill and the University. Their stories, etched in stone, remind us of our shared past and the enduring legacy of this hallowed ground.

Notable Residents

• Frank Porter Graham - United Nations mediator and former U.S. senator from North Carolina.
• William C. "Bill" Friday - First President of the University of North Carolina System.
• Charles Bishop Kuralt - Television, newspaper and radio journalist and author most widely known for his long career with CBS, first for his "On the Road" segments on The CBS Evening News.
• Louis Round Wilson - An important figure to the field of library science, listed in "100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century."
• Paul Green - Pulitzer Prize winner for drama in 1927 for his book In Abraham's Bosom. Also wrote the outdoor drama The Lost Colony.
• Horace Williams - Beloved professor of philsophy and namesake of the Horace Williams House and Horace Williams Airport (now closed.)
• Dean Smith - Legendary UNC Men's basketball coach.
• James Kern Kay Kyser - Bandleader and radio personality.
• Charles Thomas Woolen - First director of the UNC band.
• William Carmichael - UNC basketball player and namesake of Carmichael Gym.