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About this Guide

Silent Sam, c. 1940s-1960s

The Confederate Memorial on UNC-Chapel Hill's McCorkle Place, known as "Silent Sam," stood on campus from 1913-2019. For nearly half that time, the monument was been the subject of controversy. Students, faculty, administrators, and alumni have debated, often passionately, about the original intent of the monument and its purpose and meaning for UNC today.

This website is a guide to primary sources, held in the University Archives and other Wilson Library collections, about the planning and dedication of Silent Sam and the discussion surrounding the monument in the years since. Many of the resources listed here have been digitized and are available for easy access online. Others are accessible in Wilson Library. Our intention is to provide a comprehensive list of materials that can be used to inform current and future discussions about the contested monument.

This guide was created by University Archives staff members in 2016 and focuses primarily on the history of the monument and student activism from the late 1960s through the early 2000s. If you have questions or comments about this guide or the resources listed, please contact Wilson Library: wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.

Last updated: August 2022