Vanderbilt’s campus has so many lawns it can be hard to keep track. With many events taking place on these various patches of green, it is important to know where you are. Since all of these lawns are mostly grass, they can all start to blend together pretty quickly. With that in mind, here are some landmarks to help you identify which lawn you are on.
Peabody Lawn/Esplanade
This lawn is massive, but there’s only one thing to look for: Peabody College. The domed building, one of the most beautiful on campus, sits atop this long stretch of grass. With something this unique and prominent, you’ll never be lost on Peabody Esplanade.
Commons Lawn
Between Peabody Esplanade and the Commons Center sits Commons lawn. When standing on this lawn, try to spot these statues. If you can see these people dancing (left) or this anchor (right), you will know you are in the right place.
Lower Quad
If you stand on the front porch of the Commons Center (left), you’ll find yourself gazing upon the Lower Quad. This multi-tiered lawn is surrounded by Hank, Stambaugh, and Memorial Houses. Also bordering the lawn is the Dean of the Ingram Commons Residence (center). Finally, make sure to look for the statue of Martha Rivers Ingram (right), namesake of the Ingram Commons, in the center of this lawn.
Upper Quad
On the other side of Stambaugh, sits the Upper Quad. While it may be much smaller than Lower Quad, one thing about this lawn is striking: its symmetry. There may not be any statues, but the way the paths lead from the front of each house to form perfect right angles in the center of the lawn serves as a landmark on its own. Along with Stambaugh, Upper Quad is enclosed by Murray, Sutherland, and Crawford Houses.
East Lawn
Like the Upper Quad, East Lawn lacks identifying statues, but the charm of the historic Gillette, Memorial, and East Halls distinguishes this patch of grass. An easy way to figure out if you are standing on East Lawn is to look for this grand staircase to Gillette.
West Lawn
Across Peabody Esplanade from East Lawn is the aptly named West Lawn. Resting between the final two Commons Houses, North and West Halls, West Lawn is the last spot on Peabody Campus that will be covered in this series. The best way to see if you are standing on West is to look for this solitary lamppost in the center of the lawn.
Bridge Between Main Campus and Peabody (Honorable Mention)
While this may not be a lawn, this bridge is one of the most important walkways on Campus. The bridge, which passes behind the medical research building, can be difficult to find at first. If you are coming from main campus back to Peabody, look for this marble statue (center) and follow the sidewalk around the Medical Research Building.
Library Lawn
This is the lawn you will pass through to get from the bridge to the Sarratt Student Center/Rand. Filled with paths heading in every different direction (center), it can be easy to get confused. To orient yourself, use these two statues: Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (left) in front of Buttrick Hall and these blocks (right) which are on the path to Sarratt/Rand.
Alumni Lawn
The final location in this series is Alumni Lawn. This famous lawn home to many ceremonies on campus is located behind the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The best way to tell see if you are standing on Alumni is to look for the massive flagpole standing atop the lawn.