Highlands Biological Station
Samuel T. Weyman Building
"The building gained notoriety not only as the first biological laboratory in the region at the time, but also for its unique architecture..."
On August 29, 1931, the newly incorporated Highlands Museum and Biological Laboratory held the dedication ceremony for the first building constructed on campus. Then referred to as the Sam T. Weyman Memorial Laboratory, this building was constructed in under two months and functioned as a research facility for biologists nationwide upon completion.
The building gained notoriety not only as the first biological laboratory in the region at the time, but also for its unique architecture designed by Atlanta firm Tucker & Howell with consultation on the architectural design from renowned German architect Oscar Stonorov. The building was constructed in the International Style of modern architecture and featured pale yellow exterior walls with mahogany red trim to mimic the Dutch de Stijl.
The Weyman building functioned as the Station’s research laboratory until 1957, when it was converted into a dining hall and a separate laboratory was built next door. The renovation erased the structure’s international-style architecture. Shingles were added to the exterior walls, and the roof was converted from a flat roof to a gabled roof and the walls and trim were repainted.
This building served as a dining hall for the next two decades and has continued to serve the Station’s researchers and staff in various capacities since. In the 1970s, the cooking equipment was removed and replaced with refrigerators, dining tables, and lounge furniture. In 2023, Weyman was renovated once again thanks to a generous donation by R.B. Haynes and work from facilities manager Mike McMahan. This renovation allowed the building to function as a gathering place year-round. This included the installation of HVAC and insulation, skirting around the foundation, and remodeling the building’s interior with new flooring.
-Cora Bauman, Graduate Assistant, December 2024