The New Neighbor Across the Street: Peabody College

In 1911, the George Peabody College for Teachers moved from its Second Avenue downtown location to 64 acres adjacent to Vanderbilt. Peabody’s relationship with Vanderbilt, however, had a rocky beginning following Peabody President Bruce Payne’s decision to begin construction of the campus on the east side of 21st Avenue rather than the 14 acres purchased from Vanderbilt. In response, Chancellor James Kirkland requested to buy back the unused plot, ensuing in a property lawsuit and settlement in 1915. After this battle, the two institutions began their sixty-year course of collaboration and ascension to the national stage.