Priceless Gem Tours - Select Fridays at 3 p.m.

Each academic year, the Visitors Center promotes a special series of campus tours — the Priceless Gems — about Carolina’s mission and history, traditions, legends and landmarks. These on-campus walking tours are led by scholars on specific aspects of Carolina history. Tours are free, open to the public and last about an hour to 90 minutes. Tours begin at the Visitors Center, located in the west wing of Carolina's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at 250 East Franklin Street. These tours are an extraordinary opportunity to explore specific topics in depth with an expert in the field.

Black & Blue Tour with Robert Porter - 3 p.m. Feb. 8, Feb. 15 (Part Two) and April 5

This distinctive walking tour provides an African-American history of the University, with emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. The Black and Blue tour contributes to a real understanding of our past as we build a better Carolina and work to create a fuller perspective of Carolina’s history.

Black and Blue tour part two picks up where the Black and Blue tour ends.  This tour includes the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, the School of Government SERVICE mural, the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, and more.

Our guide, Robert Porter, has more than 30 years of experience as a lecturer in the department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies and has won numerous teaching awards. He remains passionate about his interests in history, public history and African-American history, all of which go back to his grade-school days. 

*The Black and Blue tours depart from the UNC Visitors Center lobby.

Reserve a spot on a tour

To reserve your space, please complete our registration form.

In case of inclement weather, or for any additional questions, please call the Visitors Center at 919-962-1630. High school and transfer students should note that these are not admissions tours and will not include information sessions for applicants.