160 E. Cameron Avenue
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Building Number: 018
Year Built: 1837
Gerrard Hall, originally intended to serve as a “New Chapel,” was completed in 1837 and has since become a significant venue for speakers and events. It has hosted notable figures such as writer Langston Hughes, enslaved poet George Moses Horton, and three U.S. Presidents, including Carolina alumnus James K. Polk. In 1993, the North Carolina General Assembly met there in honor of the University’s Bicentennial. Movie fans may also recognize Gerrard Hall from the film Patch Adams, where a prominent scene was filmed.
The building features a U-shaped balcony with fixed seating and room for movable seating on the lower level. Total seating capacity is 380, with 187 seats in the upper level and 193 in the lower level. Standing receptions for up to 200 people can be accommodated on the lower level.
A major renovation of Gerrard Hall was completed in November 2007, which included restoring its beautiful Greek Revival portico, installing central air conditioning, and repairing the building’s exterior. The renovation also added modern amenities such as a built-in sound system and a projector with a retractable screen.