:Bynum Hall

File:Bynum Hall Sketch 1904.jpg|alt=A building.]]

On October 2, 1903, during an executive university committee meeting on hosted in Governor Daniel Lindsay Russell's office, school President Francis Preston Venable revealed former North Carolina Supreme Court justice William Preston Bynum donated $25,000 to the school to build a gymnasium.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51560671/the-news-and-observer/|newspaper=The News and Observer|page=1|date=October 3, 1903|title=$25,000 Gift To The University|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51560875/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=October 3, 1903|title=A New Gymnasium|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51560710/the-morning-post/|newspaper=The Morning Post|page=7|date=October 3, 1903|title=Splendid Gift To State University|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The donation was made in honor of Bynum's late grandson William Preston Bynum Jr., who died on vacation after becoming sick with typhoid fever before the close of his sophomore year after attending between 1889 and 1890.{{cite web|url=https://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/show/names/bynum-hall|work=The Carolina Story|date=2019|title=William Preston Bynum (1820-1909) and Bynum Hall|access-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614042313/https://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/show/names/bynum-hall|archive-date=14 June 2020}} The building was officially announced by Dr. Eben Alexander to students in the chapel the same day to "vigorous and prolonged applause". The university had expressed desire before Bynum's donation about needing a gymnasium for faculty and students.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51570319/the-news-and-observer/|page=3|date=February 5, 1904|title=President Venables to Trustees|newspaper=The News and Observer|author=J.D. Murphy|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

At the time of the plans' announcement, the location of the future gym was reported to be on top of or near an "old athletic field" near the library. Plans were to be started at once and sent to Bynum for approval so construction could begin quickly. It was hoped that construction would be completed by September 1904. At the time it was the second largest gift ever to the university at the time.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51560812/the-news-and-observer/|newspaper=The News and Observer|page=4|date=October 3, 1903|title=Magnificent Donation To The University|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Venable commented: "The University is getting along finely in every way and we are greatly cheered by Judge Bynum's gift." Architect Frank P. Milburn created plans for the building.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404355/the-charlotte-observer/|page=7|date=July 31, 1904|title=The New Bynum Gymnasium|author=Sam W. Kluttz|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In February 1904, President Venable announced that the building's plans had been approved by Bynum and the trustees and work would begin "at once", weather permitting.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51570367/the-morning-post/|page=6|date=February 5, 1904|title=New Buildings|newspaper=The Morning Post|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} It was to be {{convert|111|by|77|ft|m}}, with three stories and an above ground basement. The building itself was created with a Greek influence and was to feature grey mottled brick and terra cotta trimmings. The roof was to be slate and the front would feature a central portico. There were to be arched openings and pilasters on the sides of the venue for the gymnasium. It was designed symmetrically and has quoins at each corner. The building included a main gymnasium floor and equipment, a swimming pool in the basement, locker rooms with eleven showers, a running track gallery that was above the gymnasium floor,{{cite news|url=http://newspapers.com/clip/49550005/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=February 27, 1965|title=Facilities Get Better And Better|author=Larry Tarleton|access-date=October 18, 2019|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{sfn|Powell|2005|p=15}} a room for Swedish gymnastics, and rooms for fencing and boxing, among other amenities. In addition, there were lounges for the students and office spaces for faculty. The building was expected to be heated by a hot water system, along with electrical work for lighting.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404465/the-morning-post/|page=2|date=February 21, 1905|title=New Gymnasium|newspaper=The Morning Post|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The prospect of building the new gym caused some relief with regards to first Memorial Hall, which had been hosting physical activities and suffered many broken windows. It had been modified to have a makeshift gymnasium, but lacked showers, dressing rooms, and heat.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133658916/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=7|date=February 24, 1983|title=Bynum has had many functions|author=Toni Carter|access-date=October 18, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center

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|quote=With your permission, I have caused to be erected on the grounds of the university, a gymnasium, intended for the use and benefit of the students, and in memory of a grandson who died before his graduation at this school.

|source=William Preston Bynum in a letter presenting the Bynum Gymnasium to the UNC Board of Trustees

}}

The Morning Post reported on May 10, 1904, that material for the gymnasium had arrived to campus and work was expected to be starting that week. The location of the building was an area between Smith library and the Carr building.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51570524/the-morning-post/|page=1|date=May 10, 1904|title=University Notes: Personal and Other Items from Chapel Hill|newspaper=The Morning Post|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51570492/the-wilmington-messenger/|page=8|date=May 15, 1904|title=University Commencement – Programme of Exercises to Be Held at Chapel Hill|newspaper=The Wilmington Messenger|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Mr. Waring of Columbia, South Carolina was announced to be the contractor responsible for building the structure, along with building the Campus Y building concurrently.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53403951/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=June 14, 1904|title=Y.M.C.A. Building|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Construction was delayed in May because the company's plant for making bricks was not set up. The construction was expected to be uninterrupted during the 1904 summer. By mid-July, it was thought that the construction of the gym would be completed in the fall.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404211/the-wilmington-messenger/|page=1|date=July 17, 1904|title=New University Buildings|newspaper=The Wilmington Messenger|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} An update on construction in November was published by The Evening Tribune, where it stated that the building was coming along rapidly, but the new target finish date was in February 1905.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404402/the-concord-daily-tribune/|page=1|date=November 21, 1904|title=Chapel Hill Notes|newspaper=The Evening Tribune|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Student newspaper The Tar Heel published a column in early February 1905, where it commented on the beauty of the building and pleaded to the student body to keep it in good condition.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404458/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=2|date=February 8, 1905|title=Untitled|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} On February 20, it was announced that the gym had been completed. The building was regarded as one of the most completely equipped gyms in the South, as well as being a "handsome" and "modern" structure.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53404478/the-alamance-gleaner/|page=2|date=March 2, 1905|title=North Carolina News|newspaper=The Alamance Gleaner|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53405909/the-charlotte-observer/|page=2|date=April 3, 1905|title=Tales of a Traveler|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

File:Bynum Gymnasium 1905 Yearbook.jpg

Following the gym's opening, the swimming pool was filled in early April.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53405922/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=3|date=October 3, 1903|title=The Swimming Pool in Use|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} It was reported that the first few days students used the pool, the water was freezing cold. Roughly 150 to 200 students a day would use the pool and those that utilized the pool were required to shower before and after their use.{{cite web|url=https://museum.unc.edu/exhibits/show/water/bynum-gymnasium|work=The Carolina Story|date=2006|title=Bynum Gymnasium|access-date=October 16, 2023|archive-url=|archive-date=}} Prior to the addition of two water boilers in 1905, roughly the first 75 to use the shower would be able to get hot water.

It was announced that the building would be formally presented at the spring 1905 commencement on May 30 at noon.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53405968/winston-salem-journal/|page=1|date=May 21, 1905|title=Commencement at U.N.C.|newspaper=The Winston–Salem Journal|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Bynum was unable to attend the event in part due to his age.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53405998/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=May 31, 1905|title=The Alumni Meeting and the Presentation of the Gymnasium|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Instead, Venable read two letters from Bynum aloud to the crowd, one in which he expressed the desire to sponsor the gymnasium and a formal letter presenting the gymnasium to the university. In addition, he explained his reasoning for choosing the University of North Carolina because "[the school] has accomplished and is accomplishing so much for the educational growth and prosperity of the state".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53482347/the-news-and-observer/|newspaper=The News and Observer|page=1|date=May 31, 1905|title=Hon. C.R. Thomas to the Alumni|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
{{cite news|url=http://newspapers.com/clip/53406016/the-news-and-observer/|newspaper=The News and Observer|page=3|date=May 31, 1905|title=Hon. C.R. Thomas to the Alumni|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Dr. Richard H. Lewis officially accepted the building for the university and commented: "Nothing appeals more to lusty youth than athletics in all its forms." He also hoped that the Athletic Association of the university would stand "to the athletic world". In the 1910s the freshman were required to do calisthenics three times a week in Bynum. The gymnasium served as the venue for various dances.

The gym was placed under control of a faculty member that was a trained physician and an assistant.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53406073/the-news-and-observer/|newspaper=The News and Observer|page=21|date=August 13, 1905|title=University of North Carolina|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Dr. Robert Lawson (who had coached the baseball team) was the first faculty in charge and his assistant was K. L. Wardlaw.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53406100/the-wilmington-messenger/|page=6|date=September 21, 1905|newspaper=The Wilmington Messenger|title=Attendance at University|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53406095/the-raleigh-times/|page=1|date=September 18, 1905|newspaper=The Raleigh Evening Times|title=At the State University|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Lawson was found to be a skilled gymnast and a favorite of the students. While Bynum Gymnasium had primarily been used for student's gymnastics beforehand, in 1910 an author for The Tar Heel wrote that it could be used as the site for the basketball team to practice because the building was not in use at night.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=164}} One of the main reasons why the Tar Heels did not have a basketball program until 1910 was the difficulty of finding a place to play.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=164}} The first basketball game in Bynum was held on January 27, 1911, when North Carolina hosted Virginia Christian and won 42–21.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37983728/the_daily_tar_heel/|work=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=February 4, 1911|title=Basketball Season Now In Full Swing|access-date=October 27, 2019|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Playing basketball in Bynum was known to have many issues, including the floors being slick, the backboards being "a good deal liver" than most, and lighting being poor.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=164}}

The pool was closed in 1924 because of an inadequate filtration system and was subsequently used as space for Playmakers Theatre until the building was repurposed. The final intercollegiate basketball game in Bynum was held on February 24, 1923, when the Tar Heels faced Virginia and won 39–16.{{sfn|Kirschner|2022|pp=174 & 277–8}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133756808/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=February 27, 1923|title=Carolina defeats Old Dominion and Wins South Atlantic Title|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The Tar Heels stopped playing in Bynum in 1924 as they moved into the Tin Can.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=165}} In the gym, there was a parallel exercises ladder which often had the best view of games. During the last game against Virginia, the ladder gave way due to their weight and the two students were injured after falling from roughly 25 feet.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel-bynum-ladder-break/133938962/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=February 27, 1923|title=Ladder breaks and students get bad fall in gymnasium|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Dr. Lawson rendered first aid and the students were collectively found to have on broken nose and one broken ankle. While playing in Bynum Gymnasium, the Tar Heels joined the Southern Conference prior to the 1921–22 season.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=234}} The team won the regular season championship in 1923 and 1924, while winning their postseason conference tournament in 1922 and 1924.{{sfn|Lucas|2010|p=234}} The Tar Heels played thirteen seasons in Bynum and ended with a record of 64–15 (.810) in 76 total games.{{sfn|Kirschner|2022|p=174}} The Tar Heels' worst home record in a season came in the 1911–12 season when they went 3–4, while the team went undefeated at home three times while at Bynum: 1917–18 (7–0), 1920–21 (7–0), and 1922–23 (7–0).{{sfn|Kirschner|2022|pp=174 & 277–8}}

File:UNC fountain Bynum Hall 2019.jpg

On January 15, 1924, it was announced that the remodeling of Bynum Gymnasium was completed and it was reopened to students.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49286165/bynum-renovation-before-team-leaves/|newspaper=The Tar Heel|page=1|date=January 15, 1924|title=Work On Gymnasium Has Been Completed|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The renovation was performed by Atwood and Nash. The modifications included reinforcing of the gallery and roof. The Tar Heel wrote that with the men's basketball team's relocation to the Tin Can, it would not be as highly trafficked, thus allowing for more physical education courses. Gymnastics and freshman physical education were the only two courses that remained at Bynum, all other activities were relocated to the Tin Can.{{cite web|url=http://www.planroom.unc.edu/AliasesAndNotes.aspx?facilityID=008|work=Engineering Information Services Plan Room|date=2019|title=Plan Room - Aliases and Notes for Bynum Hall (008)|access-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022201824/http://www.planroom.unc.edu/AliasesAndNotes.aspx?facilityID=008|archive-date=October 22, 2023}}

By the 1920s and 1930s the student body had grown from the roughly 600 it had in 1904 and a new gym was needed. To solve this issue, the new Woollen Gymnasium was completed in 1937. In October 1938, it was announced that $25,000 had been granted towards the Bynum to remodel into an office building.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38213796/bynum-renovaion/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=October 15, 1938|title=Dining Hall Will Be Built Near Emerson Field; Bynum Gymnasium To Be Renovated|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Upon completion of the renovation, the facility would host the university press that had been using the basement floor. In addition, a third floor would be added to house the journalism department and news bureau. It was thought that the new location would greatly relieve the press's previously crowded conditions.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51569130/the-daily-tar-heel/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=4|date=October 15, 1938|title=Bynum Gymnasium To Be Renovated|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Atwood and Weeks announced that the construction would start in December 1938, and it was completed in 1939.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49675039/bynum/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=November 15, 1938|title=Building Plans Are Announced By H. R. Weeks|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

During World War II, the university radio station shut down its operations in Caldwell Hall in June 1942.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133658431/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=January 6, 1945|title=Broadcasting will start tomorrow|access-date=October 18, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In January 1945, the station resumed its operations in Bynum Hall temporarily. A $45,000 renovation was announced in 1960 and started that fall.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133655963/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=7|date=July 21, 1960|author=Jim Medlin|title=$15 Million Budget Request By Aycock; Student Union Tops List|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133657799/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=September 28, 1960|title=Bynum, Hill, 4 Other Halls To Get Face-Lifting This Fall|access-date=May 17, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} It coincided with the School of Journalism moving out of Bynum Hall into Howell Hall in order to give more room for the University News Bureau.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133658573/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=1|date=August 18, 1960|author=Ron Shumate|title=Journalism School Moves Into Howell Hall|access-date=October 18, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In addition, the surplus space not used by the news bureau would be converted into a general classroom for various departments to use as needed. In the 1960s, the Housing Office moved into Bynum's first floor. In 1964, Bynum received a further renovation at a cost of $100,000, which included the addition of air conditioning.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel/133658503/|newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel|page=6|date=August 15, 1964|title=More Expansion in UNC's Future|access-date=October 18, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In 1974, the Housing Office moved out and the building's roof was repaired in 1974 for $59,000. By the 1980s it housed the University News Bureau still, the University Cashier, and various offices like the Research Administration office and the Affirmative Action office. In order to make Bynum handicap accessible, a ramp and automatic door were installed in 1992. The building now maintains an administrative purpose including offices for the Dean of Graduate Studies and the university counsel.{{sfn|Kirschner|2022|p=134}}

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• {{cite book | last = Lucas | first = Adam | title = Carolina Basketball: A Century of Excellence | publisher = University of North Carolina Press | location = Chapel Hill, North Carolina | year = 2010 | isbn = 9780807834107|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rK6ylz8eMCMC }}
• {{cite book|last=Powell|first=Adam|title=University of North Carolina Basketball|location=Mount Pleasant, S.C.|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2005|isbn= 0-7385-4150-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YhGeDCjS7wC}}

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