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The First Five

Memorial Belltower

The Belltower, lit red in honor of an ACC basketball win.

Nov 18, 2025

Learn More About Our Legend in Stone

From celebrating big wins to officially installing a new chancellor, NC State has had plenty of reasons to light the Memorial Belltower red in recent weeks. Learn how this iconic symbol of the university came to be — and how private support helps it continue to shine.
The face of the Memorial Belltower over a background of mechanical gears

Feb 4, 2025

Engineering Time: Restoring NC State’s Bell Tower

The Memorial Belltower at Henry Square stands as a symbol of pride and tradition for the Wolfpack community. Built to honor NC State’s alumni who died while serving during World War I, it was restored and equipped with real bells thanks to donor support during the recent Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign.
American flags placed on the Court of North Carolina

Sep 18, 2023

NC State University Foundation Grant to Help Fund Veterans Memorial and Garden

The new campus feature, made possible by a grant from the NC State University Foundation, will be located near the Memorial Belltower at Henry Square to further honor our nation’s service members.
The Memorial Belltower podcast logo.

Mar 22, 2022

Podcast: Inside the Memorial Belltower With Dr. Tom Stafford

On this episode, NC State’s unofficial Belltower historian gives listeners a rundown of this hallowed landmark’s history, complete with information on how private support helped complete the project a century after it began.
The Wolf Plaza podcast logo.

Mar 15, 2022

Introducing the NC State Philanthropy Podcast

NC State’s newest podcast, produced by the Office of Development Communications and Stewardship, is now live! Join us as we tell the world how the support of our friends, alumni and more makes the extraordinary possible all across campus.
The Memorial Belltower on Veterans Day

Nov 23, 2021

NC State Honors Veterans in a Big Belltower Way

The university’s annual Veterans Day ceremony was doubly special this year because it also marked the 100th anniversary of the laying of the World War I memorial’s cornerstone.
Tom Gurin playing the Memorial Belltower carillon

May 24, 2021

Ring Those Bells: A Carillon Q&A

Learn more about NC State’s new 55-bell carillon — and carillons in general — from the first person to play it, carillonneur Tom Gurin.
Chancellor Randy Woodson and the Henry family cut the ribbon dedicating the Henry Square and reopening the Memorial Belltower.

May 24, 2021

A Hundred Years and a Thousand Words

Photos of the Memorial Belltower’s reopening and the dedication of Henry Square help tell the story of this Hallowed Place on NC State’s campus.
The Memorial Belltower as seen from behind some trees

May 11, 2021

The Legend in Stone

The Memorial Belltower is one of NC State’s best known symbols and among its most Hallowed Places. But how much do you really know about its extraordinary story?
close up of small bells in the belfry

May 10, 2021

The First Five

As we celebrate the dedication of Henry Square and reopening of the Memorial Belltower, learn more about the first five bells cast and their donors through first-person accounts and family memories.