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Local figure

William Hayes Ackland

William Hayes Ackland (1855–1940), a Nashville native, left his fortune to found an art museum at a southern university. Duke refused the bequest, and after nine years of litigation the Ackland Trust went to UNC, which dedicated the Ackland Memorial Art Center in Chapel Hill on September 20, 1958. His tomb is in the museum.

Source: Ackland Art Museum: Mission & History

1855–1940 · Dates from the Library of Congress · Library of Congress authority record ↗

4 works about William Hayes Ackland are indexed here.

Life and Orange County connections

Dated events connected with this person, in date order. See these 3 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Fred W. Morrison and O. Max Gardner represent the university in the Ackland will case The university pressed its claim to William Hayes Ackland's bequest under a Tennessee rule that a testator's clear intention in an earlier will can be carried out, and was represented by Attorney General McMullan and by O. Max Gardner and Fred W. Morrison of Washington. Morrison later helped the university receive the bequest that built the Ackland Art Center. People: O. Max Gardner, William Hayes AcklandSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, January 30, 1942, p. 2
  2. A federal appeals court awards the Ackland Trust to the university at Chapel Hill After Duke refused Ackland's bequest, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled for UNC-Chapel Hill over Rollins College, citing the university's finances, its graduate arts program and its nearness to Duke. The North Carolina Historical Review had reported in 1944 that the court awarded the trust to the university in October 1943.Search the index · Ackland Art Museum: Mr. Ackland's Final Resting Place · Also: Internet Archive: North Carolina Historical Review 21
  3. The Ackland Art Museum opens UNC dedicated the William Hayes Ackland Memorial Art Center on September 20, 1958, the morning after a preview for faculty. Ackland had left his bequest to Duke, which refused it, and nine years of litigation sent it to Chapel Hill; the Georgian building held galleries, an art library, classrooms, studios and offices. People: William Hayes AcklandSearch the index · Ackland Art Museum: Mission & History

Indexed works

Works about or by William Hayes Ackland. Each links to the institution that holds or provides it. Background reading appears below.

William Hayes Ackland, 1855-1940

Larson, John Emil · 1958 · William Hayes Ackland Memorial Art Center

John Emil Larson's account of William Hayes Ackland, published in 1958 for the dedication of the William Hayes Ackland Memorial Art Center at the University of North Carolina on September 20 of that year. Topics include Ackland himself and art at Chapel Hill, so the pamphlet introduces the benefactor whose bequest founded the campus art museum.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: Ackland, William Hayes, 1855-1940.

UNC

Catalogue Of The Collection, The William Hayes Ackland Memorial Art Center

Hertzman, Gay Mahaffy · 1971 · Herzig Somerville Ltd.

Gay Mahaffy Hertzman's 1971 catalogue of the collection of the William Hayes Ackland Memorial Art Center, the university art museum in Chapel Hill now called the Ackland Art Museum, printed by Herzig Somerville. William Hayes Ackland (1855 to 1940) left the bequest that founded the museum.

Included because: Catalog heading in the NC Cardinal record: Ackland, William Hayes, 1855-1940.

Ackland, William H.: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

Painted portrait of William H. Ackland, reproduced in an undated photograph. Ackland left his estate to found the art museum that bears his name at the University of North Carolina.

Included because: Its title names this person.

Ackland Art Museum: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

1970

Ackland Art Museum at UNC between 1970 and 1983, in three photographs: the cake cutting at its 25th anniversary celebration, students and a teacher at a light art exhibition, and the tomb of William Hayes Ackland. From the UNC Campus binder, Prints and Photographs Collection (CHHS.002).

Included because: Their name appears in the record.

Places in this person’s story

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Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site locations from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office survey, Open Orange, Orange County GIS, OpenStreetMap and a few other published sources named on each site’s page; town and community pins show approximate locations.

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  • NC LIVE: prepared search for William Hayes Ackland Library card Search NC LIVE for this subject and Orange County. You can change the search terms. Sign in through your North Carolina library to access the materials.
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