The Hopkins Seaside Laboratory (1892-1917)

Pacific Grove, California

In 1892, the first building of Stanford University's Hopkins Seaside Laboratory  was built for about $700. This 60 x 20 foot wood frame building contained 3 general laboratories, a library, a store room, and 7 private rooms for investigators. The wood braces on the corners were added to keep it from being blown over by the wind. Two years later a second building was added. In 1905, for reasons that are explained within the chapters below, the name of the facility was changed to the Marine Biological Laboratory of Stanford University.

The Hopkins Seaside Laboratory, while carried on under the auspices of the University, was by no means to be regarded as simply a provision for members of that institution. Its advantages were planned for and freely offered to investigators from whatever source. The regular sessions of this laboratory were held during the summer months, when teachers, students, and others desiring to attend, had their vacations, while the use of the buildings was allowed to investigators at all times of the year. This regular organization of the facility provided for three classes of participants, 1) the undergraduate and graduate students of Stanford University, 2) the scientific investigators, and 3) schoolteachers and students. See images.

 The chapters below are the initial efforts aimed at presenting the history of the twenty-five years of Hopkins Seaside Laboratory (i.e. Marine Biological Laboratory) located at Lovers’ Point in Pacific Grove.

see also: Hopkins Seaside Laboratory Spotlight Exhibit

see also: Hopkins Seaside Laboratory of Natural History, Stanford University, 1892-1917

YouTube video of Donald Kohrs talking about The History of the Hopkins Seaside Laboratory (1892 - 1917)

Occupants of Hopkins Investigator Rooms

Artists of the Hopkins Seaside Laboratory