Priceless Gem Tours

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, temporarily located in the Rotunda in Hill Hall, 145 East Cameron Avenue. These tours are an extraordinary opportunity to explore specific topics in depth with an expert in the field.

Black & Blue Tour

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 an understanding of our past as we build a better Carolina and work to create a fuller perspective of Carolina’s history. Part 1 of the tour focuses on central campus locations including Chapel of the Cross, McCorckle Place and Polk Place; Part 2 focuses on Lenoir Hall, the Stone Center, the School of Government SERVICE Mural and the Chapel Hill Cemetery.

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.

All tours begin at 3 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27 (Black and Blue part 1)
Friday, Nov. 8 (Black and Blue part 1)

Friday, Feb. 21 (Black and Blue part 1)
Friday, Feb. 28 (Black and Blue part 2)
Friday, April 17 (Black and Blue part 1)

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. Please note that these are not admissions tours and will not include information sessions for applicants.