Kirkland Hall, designed by William Crawford Smith, was built in 1874 as the first teaching building at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

[7] In July 1874, Bishop McTyeire commissioned William Crawford Smith to design and construct the first buildings of the Vanderbilt Campus.

From the onset of the Main Building's construction, its design was overseen by the first Chancellor, Landon C. Garland, who was assigned by Bishop McTyeire to collaborate with William C. Smith on the project.

Although Garland did not focus on the Victorian Gothic style in general, he was primarily concerned with supervising the design of scientific rooms in the Main Building.

Many threw books and lab apparatus, the precious assets that Chancellor Garland had brought back to Vanderbilt decades ago, out of the windows.

He reassured them that the academic program would not be interrupted and praised the student body for standing with Vanderbilt University with unwavering confidence.

Although the rebuilding of the Main failed to include a new library due to a rejection of the expected grant from Andrew Carnegie, the restoration, in general, was satisfying to the Vanderbilt community.

A flat roof replaced the original gables, a single tower was erected, and perhaps most importantly, the interior was reinforced with concrete, making it finally fireproof.

[4] Despite lacking the old magnificence, the construction of the new Main (then called College Hall) nonetheless manifested the solidarity of the Vanderbilt community.

By World War I, enrollment had soared, and the four classroom buildings exhibited inadequacies in meeting the booming academic needs of all students.

During his tenure at Vanderbilt, he boosted enrollment, grew the faculty, developed the campus, raised funds, and saved the institution from many crises.

[4] The situation escalated when 500 boys, many in pajamas, gathered in front of the tower, shooting off firecrackers, throwing water-filled bags, and threatening a "panty raid" at the women's dorms.

[4] As early as November 1959, a number of Black college students hosted sit-ins at Harveys and Cain-Sloan department stores, demonstrating against injustice and asking to speak with the owners.

Lawson participated in this series of activities, applauded the students' efforts, taught them how to perform nonviolent sit-ins with great self-discipline, and tried his best to ensure their success.

Facing immense pressure, Chancellor Branscomb held board meetings to discuss action against Lawson, which eventually led to his expulsion.

[9] To celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding, Vanderbilt dedicated over $20 million to completing the fifth project of FUTURE VU—the renovation of Kirkland Hall—which began in 2022 and concluded in 2023.

[3][10] In a 2023 debrief, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier admitted that Kirkland Hall had not been renovated for around 25 years and faced issues with the water system, windows, floor instabilities, and other problems.

[11] The project, led by Centric Architecture, a Nashville-based design firm, aimed to enhance accessibility and inclusion, connectivity and community engagement, and sustainability.

Key project details include making the entrance accessible, repairing the roof and drainage system, and redesigning the restrooms to be gender-neutral.

[12] In the former crisis, he helped boost morale, raised renovation funds, and resumed the normal academic schedule as quickly as possible.

[14][15] The university allegedly eliminated the company from its endowment in 2013, and Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos personally responded to the letter submitted by the activists.

[17] Five days later, students sat outside Kirkland Hall, demanding that Zeppos declare Vanderbilt a “Sanctuary Campus” for undocumented immigrants.

[22][23] On March 26, 2024, a group of students entered Kirkland Hall with the intention of protesting while it was reportedly still closed for construction, demanding a higher degree of free speech amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Eli Motycka, a reporter for the Nashville Scene, was arrested by VUPD near Kirkland Hall while covering the student protests.

[26] Alumni and faculty issued open letters criticizing student BDS efforts, calling for campus civility, and expressing solidarity with Vanderbilt’s pro-Israel Jewish community.