Kresge Learning Resource Center

When Meharry Medical College moved to North Nashville in 1931, it occupied three buildings: the first was the college and hospital, the second was student housing, and the last was a power plant. Across 18^th Ave, Fisk agreed to designate a reading room in Cravath Memorial Library as a space for Meharry’s library system to operate. Though still operating as a department within Fisk University Library, the medical branch moved to its own space on Meharry’s campus in 1939. That same year, the library was admitted into the Medical Library Association.

Meharry’s Library remained at this satellite branch for 30 years. When Fisk built the current John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library in 1969, Meharry decided it needed its own and built the building in front of you: the Stanley S. Kresge Learning Resource Center. The $5 million building was dedicated in 1973 in honor of Stanley Sebastion Kresge, grandson of the founder of the Kresge department store chain, which later became K-Mart. The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 “to promote the well-being of mankind.” This facility includes the Meharry Medical College Information Center Library. In addition, Meharry’s Archives feature one of the nation’s foremost collections related to the history of African American and minority healthcare. A 2012 renovation by Kline Swinney Associates added a student café, digital library, new utility systems, and a medical simulation center with a replica of an emergency and patient exam room.

Fun fact: Cal Turner Jr. was awarded the Stanley S. Kresge Award by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation for his commitment to higher education.

Continue walking up Albion Street. Stop near the signage for the Nashville General Hospital Emergency Room, to your left. Be sure to watch for traffic near the entrance and exit.