Old East at the University of North Carolina is the oldest state university building in the nation. Its cornerstone was laid by William Richardson Davie on October 12, 1793, its third story was added in 1822, and a north addition was built in 1844. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, Old East was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark under the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935, for possessing exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.