Kirkland House is one of the 12 undergraduate houses at Harvard University, located near the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was named after John Thorton Kirkland, president of Harvard University from 1810 to 1828. Some of the buildings were built in 1914 but the final parts of Kirkland were completed in 1933. It is one of the smallest residential houses at Harvard in the number of students that live in it, yet it has managed to win intramural and house-spirit contests against the bigger houses. Before Harvard opted to use a lottery system to assign housing to upperclassmen, Kirkland was considered the "jock house" for housing a large population of the Harvard athletic community.

Kirkland House boasts many unique traditions such as its opening ceremony (complete with Minute Men playing drums and fifes around the buildings followed by the house masters, tutors, and students), Secret Santa week (an in-house-only series of gifts, jokes, and events), and Incestfest (an in-house-only dance where residents "hook-up" with each other).

Kirkland House has also hosted numerous celebrities and political guests over the years. During the last race for the democratic candidacy, Kirkland House hosted Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, John Kerry, and many others for talks on various political and social issues. Kirkland has also hosted celebrities like Queen Latifah and George Lopez during the annual Cultural Rhythms weekend.

Although smaller than the other houses, Kirkland has a gym, lounge, game room, music rooms, performance and event spaces for students as well as one of the best dining halls in Harvard College according to many undergraduates.

Known to all within the house, as well as many across the college, are many of the custodial, dining hall, and security staff members who help make Kirkland a close-knit community. Kirkland also holds a large number of pets including several cats and dogs, such as Brandy and Jesse - the masters' dogs.

Kirkland House is located only a few blocks from Harvard Yard as well as next door to several other undergraduate houses and the Malkin Athletic Center.

The Kirkland House seal is composed of a black cross on a red field with three silver stars.

External link

• Kirkland House official site