Construction was largely stalled for years due to the Great Depression, relying on student donations and volunteer labor to resume.
The tower's bells were originally cast in England before being installed at the top of the structure.
The structure reaches a height of 115 feet, making it one of the tallest architectural landmarks in the campus vicinity.
The base of the tower is constructed from granite quarried in North Carolina.
The carillon is operated through a keyboard mechanism located within the tower's belfry.
The Memorial Belltower at North Carolina State University is a 115-foot granite monument dedicated to alumni who died during World War I. Designed by architect William Henry Deitrick, the tower was constructed over several decades, with the final stages completed in the 1930s. The structure features a distinctive Gothic Revival style, incorporating local Mount Airy granite. It houses eleven bronze bells that comprise a carillon, which is played on ceremonial occasions and university milestones. The tower sits atop a base containing a bronze plaque inscribed with the names of the university's war dead. It remains the iconic symbol of NC State University, serving as a focal point for remembrance and campus tradition.
From the brick-paved courtyard directly in front of the tower looking upward to capture the full vertical scale.
Visit during the early evening to see the tower illuminated against the night sky.
Walk the surrounding Memorial Plaza to read the inscribed donor bricks which support campus scholarship programs.
Check the NC State University academic calendar for special carillon performances during commencement or memorial days.
Attempting to climb the interior of the tower, as public access to the belfry is restricted.
Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor, as the site serves as a war memorial.
