Wonderful 100: First Belltower Dedication

Dedication of NC State University's Memorial Belltower, 10 Nov. 1921

Dedication of NC State University's Memorial Belltower, 10 Nov. 1921. The cornerstone was laid during this ceremony. Photo from Alumni News, Dec. 1921.

One hundred years ago, a dedication ceremony was held to lay the cornerstone for NC State University's Memorial Belltower.  The ceremony took place on 10 Nov. 1921, 3 years after the end of World War I.  The building commemorates the alumni and students who lost their lives because of the conflict.

Blueprint drawing of the Memorial Belltower cornerstone, designed by architect William Deacy.
Blueprint drawing of the Memorial Belltower cornerstone, designed by architect William Deacy.

Alumnus and Lt. Governor (as well as future Governor) O. Max Gardner (Class of 1903) spoke at the event, and the ROTC regiment paraded in military review.  The Alumni News, republishing an article that had appeared in the Raleigh News & Observer, reported the regiment contained 800 students, which was a significant portion of the student body at that time.

Construction of the Belltower had begun approximately 6 months earlier, and it would continue for several years to come.  Originally, the structure was funded through alumni contributions, but later during the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration continued the construction (among other New Deal projects on campus).  Later dedications occurred in 1947 after installation of the carillon and in 1949 after completion of the Shrine Room and bronze door.  Recently, the Belltower was restored and 55 real bells installed, both made possible through a gift from the Bill (’81) and Frances Henry family, and it reopened in a May 2021 ceremony, echoing the one of 100 years ago.

Base of NC State's Belltower during the winter of 1921-1922. Agromeck 1922 photo.
Base of NC State's Belltower during the winter of 1921-1922.  1922 Agromeck photo.

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