Fernald Hall, originally named Chemical Hall, finished construction in 1870 to serve as the first academic hall at the university. Named after the university's second president, it was built to house the chemistry department.
After a fire destroyed the roof a second floor was added to the ell of the building. Its purpose would soon after be changed to be used to house the nurses department. Since then rooms in Fernald have been used as a bookstore, the home of the campus newspaper general office space. Currently it is used by the sociology department and CITL.