FROM THE HOCO
In the beginning, there was John Thornton Kirkland, the most beloved of all Harvard Presidents. The eighteen years in which his “splendid ankles” and “gilded tongue” graced fair Harvard are remembered as a Golden Age, a time of intellectual and spiritual renaissance at our fair University. On one fateful January evening, following a particularly grueling day in which he invented electricity and perfected the locomotive, Rev. Kirkland built Kirkland House with his bare hands, pouring his very soul into its construction.
That soul has permeated the residents of the Best of All Possible Houses for over 100 years, creating a spirited atmosphere that has produced more Straus Cups than any other House. At Kirkland House, we pride ourselves above all things in fierce house loyalty and our ability to stay above the petty squabbles of inferior houses.
We offer the oldest, largest, and best-stocked house library on campus, with twelve rooms; the cheeriest and most intimate dining hall; an array of spectacular junior and senior suites situated around a beautiful courtyard; the most spirited turnout at intramural events; a frequented basement with gym, grille, game area, and study lounge; Bob Butler, our beloved security guard;
Masters Tom and Verena Conley; Tom’s Wine Seminar; a stately JCR that attracts a formidable lecture circuit known as Conversations with Kirkland; and lastly, the Ode:
OH KIRKLAND! OH KIRKLAND! YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME!
OH KIRKLAND! OH KIRKLAND! YOU ARE THE PLACE TO BE!
OH KIRKLAND! OH KIRKLAND! DAMN YOU ARE SO FINE!
OH KIRKLAND! OH KIRKLAND! THANK GOD THAT YOU ARE MINE!”
THE BASICS
Dining Hall
Kirkland's dining hall is well-lit, bright, and conducive to both intimate conversations within a small group and large post-practice or problem set get-togethers. Throughout the day, the sun floods through large windows into a relatively smaller dining hall already lit by multiple chandeliers. Kirkland is one of the few Houses with light-colored wooden tables, ranging from four-person to larger, banquet-style. Not only is the decorum and ambience always cheery and friendly, but Kirkland consistently provides high quality food. As the main social gathering place for the small but strong community in Kirkland, this dining hall is as far from Annenberg as one can get.
Sophomore Housing
Sophomore housing in Kirkland is nothing special. Triples and quads comprise the bulk of second-year housing arrangements, although sophomores may also receive housing for larger groups. Don't get too excited about the space, as room size is average at best. Pray, though, that you stay in Kirkland proper, as an unfortunate few will be carted off to DeWolfe, leaving behind key ties to Kirkland House and social life.
Perks
Though Kirkland may have average rooms, it is not devoid of perks. Location is a plus, and Kirkland residents enjoy easy access to the Mac, the T, and the river. For those looking for a brush with fame, Kirkland is the place to be. The house regularly hosts celebrity talks, and notable past speakers include Alec Baldwin, Jason Biggs, and Herbie Hancock. Aside from its famous visitors, Kirkland is a small community at heart. Kind House Masters with good study breaks, combined with a small gym and grill, give Kirkland a special flair.
— Amy Yoshitsu ’10 and Edward Chen ’09
LITERARY MATCHUP
John Knowles, A Separate Peace
Isolated from JFK Street by its high walls, Kirkland seems to dwell in a world of its own. With Harvard’s most elaborate Secret Santa, it is the House of giving; hopefully, residents’ generosity doesn’t lead their best friends to push them off trees.
NOTABLE ALUMS
Mark Zuckerberg, creator, Facebook.com
Wallace Shawn, actor
Jeff Bingaman, US Senator (D-NM)
X-MEN MATCHUP
Wraith
As the translucent X-Man, Wraith can easily blend in with his surroundings and has remarkable mind-control abilities. Likewise, Kirkland exemplifies the typical “Harvard” look, but its notoriously small and incestuous community might leave you a little stir crazy.