Silent Sam | TravelDojo

Silent Sam was a Confederate monument that stood on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; it was first erected in 1913. The bronze statue became a focal point of protest and debate over Confederate memorials.

The statue is no longer standing on its original plinth; the site on McCorkle Place has been a locus for demonstrations and for discussions about commemoration and campus history. Interest centers on the monument’s removal and the broader controversy rather than on the statue as a visitor attraction.

Erected in 1913 as a memorial to UNC alumni who fought for the Confederacy, the monument was funded and erected during the early 20th century period when many Confederate monuments were installed. On August 20, 2018, protesters toppled the statue; it was later removed from public display and has been the subject of legal and administrative dispute.

The monument stood on the main quadrangle of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Monument type: The bronze statue depicted an unidentified Confederate soldier and was the subject of sustained debate on the University of North Carolina campus.
Recent status: The statue was toppled by protesters in August 2018 and subsequently removed from public display.

How to Get to Silent Sam #

Chapel Hill is about a 20-30 minute drive from Durham and 45 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The university campus is walkable from downtown Chapel Hill; Triangle Transit buses and local shuttles serve the campus. Specific displays or the location of remaining artifacts have varied since 2018; check University of North Carolina announcements for current details.

Tips for Visiting Silent Sam #

Understand the context: the monument was toppled in 2018 after years of protest; visiting Chapel Hill merits reading local reporting to understand the community debates that followed.
The university and town have had ongoing legal and ethical discussions about Confederate monuments; campus-access rules may affect where remnants or exhibits are displayed.

Best Time to Visit Silent Sam #

Best visited during the academic year when campus resources and context are most available.

Fall

September-November · 50-75°F (10-24°C)

Academic year in session; campus panels or exhibits about the monument and its removal are more likely to be available.

Spring

March-May · 45-75°F (7-24°C)

Milder weather and frequent behind-the-scenes tours of campus history.

Weather & Climate near Silent Sam #

Climate

Silent Sam's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1173 mm/year), wettest in August, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

32°

Warmest Month

-2°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions