]
]
This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This collection has use restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the FAQ section for more information.
Expand/collapse
Collection Overview
| Size | 15.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 11800 items) |
| Abstract | The university's official observance of its Bicentennial began in August 1993 and ended in June 1994. Planning for it, however, began in the early 1980s. The Bicentennial Observance Planning Committee, appointed in 1985, set goals for the celebration. In 1987, the Bicentennial Commemoration Planning Office was created to carry out detailed planning and implementation of events. Within the next year, the name of the office was changed, first to Bicentennial Observance Planning Office, then to Bicentennial Observance Office. William P. Massey was appointed general secretary of the Bicentennial and was put in charge of the office. When Massey left the university in 1991, Steven J. Tepper, who had been assistant general secretary, assumed direction of the office's day-to-day operations. Tepper's title became associate general secretary, then executive director of the Bicentennial Observance. The Bicentennial Observance Policy Committee served as the advisory body to the office. The office was disbanded at the close of the Bicentennial celebration on 30 June 1994. Records include files of William P. Massey, Steven J. Tepper, and other members of the Bicentennial Observance Office pertaining to planning, publicity, finances, logistics, and other aspects of the university's celebration of its Bicentennial. Many of the files relate to individual events. The Addition of February 2012 consists largely of audio and video recordings of Bicentennial publicity and events, and footage used in the production of the public television documentary Crossroads on the Hill, about the history of the University of North Carolina. Included are 219 videotapes, 27 audiocassettes, five audiotapes, and one audio compact disc. Also included are the musical score and recordings of Richard Adler's The University of North Carolina Bicentennial Commemorative Suite and files related to the Davie Poplar Project, which distributed saplings from the iconic campus tree to schools and other institutions across the state. |
| Creator | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Bicentennial Observance Office. |
| Language | English |
Expand/collapse
Information For Users
Expand/collapse
Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Expand/collapse
Related Collections
Expand/collapse
Historical Information
As early as 1982, planning had begun unofficially for a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bicentennial celebration that would create "an aura of pride, good feeling, and uniqueness among students, faculty/staff, alumni, and friends." In September 1985 Chancellor Christopher C. Fordham appointed the Bicentennial Observance Planning Committee to suggest how the university might best prepare for such a celebration. Chaired by Dean Richard Cole of the School of Journalism (and later known as the "Cole Committee"), the committee was to develop general outlines for the character of the Bicentennial Observance and to suggest administrative means for implementing them.
The Planning Committee reported in June 1986, laying out the following goals for the Bicentennial: remind and inform the people of North Carolina and beyond of the great history, achievements, and promise of UNC-Chapel Hill; exemplify UNC-Chapel Hill as a creative force in cultural, scientific, intellectual, and human endeavors; provide a plan and focus for the future work of UNC-Chapel Hill in ways that build on its many strengths and fulfill its mission; increase the resources of UNC-Chapel Hill; and exemplify the greatness of higher public education in the United States during its two centuries and lay a path of inspiration and discovery for its third century.
The Planning Committee recommended the period from 12 October 1993 (the anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Old East), to 12 February 1995 (the anniversary of the first student's arrival), as the official period of the Bicentennial. The committee further recommended that a Policy Committee and a Bicentennial Observance director oversee the planning of the observance. It suggested a few major events, including a University Day convocation to which the President of the United States would be invited to speak.
In 1987 the Bicentennial Commemoration Planning Office was created, reporting to the associate vice chancellor for university relations. William P. Massey, director of Annual Giving, was made interim chairman of the Bicentennial Observance. In March 1988, he took over the new combined position of director of publications and general secretary of the Bicentennial Observance. At the same time, the office was renamed the Bicentennial Observance Planning Office. By year's end the word "planning" had been dropped from the office's name, and it became simply the Bicentennial Observance Office.
In October 1989, Steven J. Tepper, who had been president of the Class of 1989, was hired as assistant general secretary for the Bicentennial Observance. The following June, Massey was promoted to associate vice chancellor for university relations, and Tepper became associate general secretary of the Bicentennial Observance, with increased responsibilities for operations of the office. Massey left the university in June 1991; and in September, Richard J. Richardson, professor of political science, was appointed chairman of the Bicentennial Observance and chair of the Policy Committee. Tepper was then promoted to executive director and continued to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bicentennial Observance Office.
Several advisory bodies served to oversee and guide the Bicentennial Observance. Most important was the Policy Committee, appointed in June 1987, which shaped the general mission and outlines of the observance and determined which projects should have the sponsorship or official approval of the Bicentennial Observance Office. The Communications Advisory Board met from 1992 to 1994 to "advise and assist the Bicentennial Observance Office in successfully promoting and communicating the Bicentennial Observance throughout the state and the nation." In addition, the Council of Bicentennial Observance Advisors was appointed in 1988 to "advise and assist the University in achieving fully the objectives of the Bicentennial Observance." To involve the entire state in the Bicentennial, a majority of its members were alumni and "interested citizens," but the council was rarely consulted after its initial meeting. An Operations Committee was also created with representatives from various support offices of the university and from the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, but this committee met as a whole only once, in March 1989.
In early 1990 the timetable for the Bicentennial Observance was abridged to seven months to heighten its impact and prevent "Bicentennial burnout." Major events connected with the Bicentennial included the following: the Bicentennial Issues Forum in Fayetteville, 11 December 1989, to mark the 200th anniversary of the chartering of the university; the issue of a United States postcard featuring a painting of the Playmakers Theatre, 14 September 1993; the opening ceremonies of the Bicentennial Observance, 11-12 October 1993, including the planting of Davie Poplar III, the rededication of Old East, and a University Day Convocation at which President Clinton delivered the keynote address; Carolina Saturday, 9 April 1994, a statewide open house with events and presentations sponsored by various schools and departments; and Commencement, 15 May 1994, the official close of the Bicentennial Observanace, and a statewide ringing of bells. With the end of the Bicentennial Observance, the Bicentennial Observance Office closed on 30 June 1994.
Back to Top
Expand/collapse
Scope and Content
Records include files of William P. Massey, Steven J. Tepper, and other members of the Bicentennial Observance Office pertaining to planning, publicity, finances, logistics, and other aspects of the university's celebration of its Bicentennial. Many of the files relate to individual events. The Addition of February 2012 consists largely of audio and video recordings of Bicentennial events; audio and video of public service announcements related to the Bicentennial; and footage used in the production of the public television documentary Crossroads on the Hill, about the history of the University of North Carolina. Included are 219 videotapes, 27 audiocassettes, five audiotapes, and one audio compact disc. Also included are the musical score and recordings of Richard Adler's The University of North Carolina Bicentennial Commemorative Suite; publicity materials and event programs; and files related to the Davie Poplar Project, which distributed saplings from the iconic campus poplar tree named for William Richardson Davie to schools and other institutions across the state.
Back to Top
Expand/collapse
Series Quick Links
Expand/collapse
Series 1. General Files, 1985-1994.
This series contains records of the day-to-day operations of the Bicentennial Observance Office, as well as planning records that do not pertain to a particular event or project.
Expand/collapse
Series 2. Events and Projects, 1984-1994.
Expand/collapse
Subseries 2.1. Major Events and Projects, 1987-1994.
This subseries contains the records of events and projects organized directly by the Bicentennial Observance Office. It includes, in particular, the major events around which the observance centered, such as the opening ceremonies and Carolina Saturday. The General files also contain some suggestions for projects that were never approved or completed.
Expand/collapse
Subseries 2.2. Collateral Events and Projects, 1987-1994.
This subseries contains files on events and projects that were planned as official parts of the Bicentennial Observance, but for which agencies other than the Bicentennial Observance Office had primary responsibility. Some of these projects were not approved by the Policy Committee, or were approved but never completed. For a more complete list of projects considered and approved by the Policy Committee, see Proposals Received, under Policy Committee, and Master Plan, under Planning, both in Series 1.
When possible, the projects below are listed under the name of the sponsoring agency, although collaborative projects may be listed by title only.
Expand/collapse
Addition of February 2012, 1903-1995.
Consists largely of audio and video recordings of Bicentennial events; audio and video of public service announcements related to the Bicentennial; and footage used in the production of the public television documentary Crossroads on the Hill, about the history of the University of North Carolina. Included are 219 videotapes, 27 audiocassettes, five audiotapes, and one audio compact disc. Also included are the musical score and recordings of Richard Adler's The University of North Carolina Bicentennial Commemorative Suite; publicity materials and event programs; and files related to the Davie Poplar Project, which distributed saplings from the iconic campus poplar tree named for William Richardson Davie to schools and other institutions across the state.
Expand/collapse
Addition of February 2012: Audiovisual Materials, 1903-1994.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Audio and video recordings of Bicentennial events, including television footage of President Clinton's address on 12 October 1993; audio and video of public service announcements related to the Bicentennial; and footage used in the production of the public television documentary Crossroads on the Hill, about the history of the University of North Carolina. Included are 219 videotapes, 27 audiocassettes, five audiotapes, and one audio compact disc. Footage used for the documentary includes interviews of many former university administrators, residents of Chapel Hill, N.C., and others; and stills depicting campus scenes and historic events from 1903 through the 1960s. There are also several recordings of Richard Adler's The University of North Carolina Bicentennial Commemorative Suite.
Expand/collapse
Addition of February 2012: Other Materials, 1985-1995.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by file title.
Materials related to Bicentennial observance activities and events, including printed publicity and event programs; press releases and newspaper clippings; the musical score for Richard Adler's The University of North Carolina Bicentennial Commemorative Suite; and numerous materials pertaining to the Davie Poplar Project, which distributed saplings from the iconic campus poplar tree named for William Richardson Davie to schools and other institutions across the state. The project included a ceremony at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, during which saplings and certificates were presented to 100 grade school students representing the 100 counties of North Carolina.
Expand/collapse
Items Separated
Processed by: University Archives Staff, May 1997
Encoded by: Patrick Harner, October 2008
Updated because of addition by Sara Mannheimer, February 2012
Back to Top