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 cyclostyle on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus at the southern end of McCorkle Place.{{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 }}{{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 }}{{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}} The current decorative form of the Old Well was modeled after the Temple of Love in the Gardens of Versailles and was completed in 1897.{{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 }} 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.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}}. It is the most enduring symbol of UNC.{{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 }} File:Old Well fountain.jpgImage:Old Well 1892.jpg

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.{{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 | 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 }} Because of its status as a symbol of the university, it is the target of vandals around the time of Carolina – State sporting events.{{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 }}

In Kinston, North Carolina, there is a replica of the Old Well, created to honor UNC alumnus Harvey Beech.{{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 }} Beech was one of the first African-Americans to attend the University of North Carolina School of Law.