Naval Armory 80th Anniversary Celebration
April 13 – 14, 2023
Greetings from the UNC NROTC Alumni Association!
Please join us as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Naval Armory at UNC. On Sept. 11, 1940, the Navy announced the designation of a Navy ROTC program at UNC. In the beginning, space was used in Woollen Gym, Lenoir Hall, Caldwell Hall and Swain Hall, but it quickly became inadequate due to the expansion of the program. At the urging of then Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, W. S. Popham, and UNC President Franklin Porter Graham, plans for the new Naval Armory building finally came together in the fall of 1942. Architect Archie Royal Davis designed the $41,000 armory to conform to the colonial architecture of The Carolina Inn, which is located directly across the street. The Naval Armory fully opened in Feb. 1943 and was celebrated with the annual Navy dance for which the B-1 Navy band played. After major renovations totaling $400,000, the Air Force and Army ROTC programs made their home in the Naval Armory in 1996. This investment came with the expectation that this facility would be the long-term home for all ROTC programs just as intended from the beginning in 1941.
You are invited to attend celebratory events from April 13-14, 2023. The NROTC Special Awards Ceremony for midshipmen will take place on Thursday, April 13 and a reception and dinner for the NROTC alumni will take place that evening. On Friday, April 14 there will be a ceremony with speakers at the Carolina Union followed by lunch and a memorial service at the Carolina Alumni Memorial. Please see the events schedule for more information and register online to indicate your attendance.
Visit UNC NROTC Alumni Association, Navy ROTC and/or Department of Naval Science to stay engaged and connected. Please join the UNC NROTC Alumni Association or renew your UNC NROTC Alumni Association membership today.
We look forward to celebrating with you.
Sandy Henkel ’88
Naval Armory 80th Anniversary Coordinator
unc.armory.event@gmail.com
(828) 234-2982