Carolina Nursing through the decades: a historic timeline
An illustrated online timeline of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, issued by the school in 2025. One page with portraits.
Storyline
The new University library, 1926–1929
How the University got its new library, later Wilson Library: the trustees’ $861,000 request in 1926, the $625,000 the 1927 legislature allowed, the steam shovel on the south edge of the campus in 1928, and the dedication of October 19, 1929.
In briefIn September 1926 the University trustees' executive committee asked the legislature for $861,000 for a new library, the largest item in its building request, and the Weekly called the library the University's first need. After Harry Woodburn Chase's pleading, the 1927 General Assembly provided $625,000, and Robert B. House kept the project on schedule with the Advisory Budget Commission while Chase was abroad. Construction began by March 1928 on the south edge of the campus, and estimates came within the appropriation. Students began using the building in the fall of 1929, and it was dedicated on October 19. Named for librarian Louis Round Wilson in 1956, it later became the home of UNC's special collections.
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The full story
Meeting in Raleigh on September 24, 1926, the executive committee of the University trustees asked the legislature for $2,383,000 for buildings in 1927-1929, the largest item a new library at $861,000. The Weekly called the library the University's first need and noted that building appropriations since 1921 had fallen $1,649,000 short of the trustees' six-year program. After Harry Woodburn Chase's pleading, the 1927 General Assembly provided $625,000, just over half of all the capital money for the campus, and Robert B. House kept the project on schedule with the Advisory Budget Commission while Chase was abroad. By March 30, 1928 T. C. Thompson and Brothers had a steam shovel and scores of laborers at work on the foundations on the south edge of the campus. Estimates came within the $625,000, and the building was expected to be ready by midsummer 1929. Students began using it that fall, and on October 19, 1929 the University dedicated the new University Library, planned by Arthur Cleveland Nash and William Kendall of McKim, Mead and White. It served as the main campus library for decades, was named for librarian Louis Round Wilson in 1956, and after a 1984 to 1987 renovation became the home of UNC's special collections.
In the chronology
Events in this storyline, in date order. See these 4 dated events in the chronology →
- The University trustees' executive committee asks the legislature for a new library Meeting in Raleigh on September 24, 1926, the executive committee of the University trustees approved a budget request for 1927-1929 of $2,257,000 for maintenance and $2,383,000 for buildings, the largest item a new library at $861,000. The Weekly called the library the University's first need and noted that building appropriations since 1921 had fallen $1,649,000 short of the trustees' six-year program.Search the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, October 1, 1926, p. 1
- The legislature allows $625,000 for a new university library Plans had called for a library costing as much as $862,000. After Chase's pleading, the 1927 General Assembly provided $625,000, just over half of all the capital money for the campus. Robert B. House kept the project on schedule with the Advisory Budget Commission while Chase was abroad. People: Harry Woodburn Chase, R. B. HouseSearch the index · Howard E. Covington Jr., Fire and Stone: The Making of the University of North Carolina under Presidents Edward Kidder Graham and Harry Woodburn Chase (2018), p. 371 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, March 11, 1927, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, April 22, 1927, p. 4; Chapel Hill Weekly, August 19, 1927, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, February 17, 1928, p. 1
- Work begins on the University's new library T. C. Thompson and Brothers set a steam shovel and scores of laborers to work on the foundations of the new library on the south edge of the campus. Estimates came within the $625,000 the legislature had allowed, and the building was expected to be ready by midsummer 1929. People: Arthur Cleveland Nash, Louis Round WilsonSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, March 30, 1928, p. 1
- The new University Library, later Wilson Library, is dedicated UNC dedicated its new University Library, planned by Arthur Cleveland Nash and William Kendall of McKim, Mead and White, on October 19, 1929, weeks after students began using the building that fall. It served as the main campus library for decades, was named for librarian Louis Round Wilson in 1956, and after a 1984 to 1987 renovation became the home of UNC's special collections. People: Arthur Cleveland NashSearch the index · UNC, Names in Brick and Stone: Louis Round Wilson Library; with North Carolina Architects and Builders (NCSU Libraries): McKim, Mead and White · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, October 25, 1929, p. 1
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Buildings, schools, churches and other sites named in the dated events on this page, the most often named first.
- UNC Libraries University schools and programs · Chapel Hill · 2 events here
Background on UNC & Campus Life
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North Carolina baseball: the blue thread and the rise of an ACC power
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The dove in the belly
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Background
- Louis Round Wilson Library (Names in Brick and Stone: Histories from UNC's Built Landscape)UNC-Chapel Hill
- A New University LibraryUNC-Chapel Hill
- University histories, exhibits, and research guides
Collections and databases
- NC LIVE: prepared search for The new University library, 1926–1929 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.
Local help
- Rebecca B. Wall Local History Collection, Orange County Public Library The county library’s local-history room at the Main Library in Hillsborough: books, journals, maps, and microfilm of county records from 1752
- Local History Help Hours and request formOCPL Local History Liaison Meet with the Local History Liaison at the Main Library, usually Mondays from noon to 3 p.m., or send a question using the online request form
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