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Established in 1895,Stone Laboratory (or "Stone Lab"), is the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States and the center of Ohio State University’s teaching and research on Lake Erie. The lab serves as a base for more than 65 researchers from 12 agencies and academic institutions, all working year-round to solve the most pressing problems facing the Great Lakes.

Stone Lab is located on Gibraltar Island. This small island is just offshore of South Bass Island in Lake Erie. It is part of Put-in-Bay Township, Ottawa County, Ohio.

Stone Laboratory Courses
In addition to its role as a research facility, Stone Lab offers 25 college-credit science courses each summer for undergraduate and graduate students, advanced high school students, and educators. The hands-on sessions get students out into the field or out on the lake to study courses like biology, geology, and natural resources. Science Courses offered by Stone Laboratory consists of a variety of course credits and lengths of study (2-day workshops, one-week, and 5-week 'term' courses). College Students do not have to be enrolled at Ohio State to study at Stone Lab. Every year, students come from an average of 15 colleges and universities across the country, and faculty from about 12 different colleges and universities to teach Stone Lab courses. For applications and restrictions, see the Official Stone Lab Website


 * Introductory Courses are in the format of a One Week Course, intended for for High School and College students are being offered in 2013 for 2 semester credits, running Sunday-Saturday in the Months of June-August:


 * Upper Level Courses are open to college students who are studying biological science, education, and natural resources, as well as science teachers. These are longer and more intense classes, being offered for 5-weeks and 4 semester credit hours:


 * Science Courses for Educators is open to classroom teachers, non-formal educators and education majors with a rank of junior or above by the class Date. The courses being offered to Educators are in a one-week format and offers 2 semester credit hours for those College majors. The courses in summer 2013 are as follows: GibraltarIslandSunset.jpg


 * Non-Credit workshop courses last one to three days and are open to the public. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed high school. The workshops being offered in the summer of 2013 are as follows:

Stone Laboratory Field Trips
Stone Laboratory’s Lake Erie Science Field Trips, held each year from mid-April through October, give students in grades 4-12 the chance to study Lake Erie for a day. Each group spends two hours on a research vessel on Lake Erie, collecting environmental and biological data, before heading back to the lab for an additional two hours, where they dissect fish and peer through microscopes to get a look at the lake’s tiniest inhabitants. Participants can choose from up to eight additional specialized activities, such as an Edible Plants Walk, Invertebrate Walk, or Ornithology Hike. Activities can be added to create a one-day trip lasting up to eight hours or a two-day overnight trip, including a stay in the island dormitory. All field trips, no matter the length, can accommodate up to 80 people. Supplemental Activities for students are the following:

Visiting Stone Laboratory, South Bass Lighthouse, and Aquatic Visitor's Center
If taking classes at Stone Laboratory isn't your style, we also offer tours of the island and our other operations on South Bass Island.


 * Guided tours of Gibraltar Island are available to the public, but is limited to certain days of the week during the summer only. The Science and History Tours of Gibraltar Island will be held each Wednesday, June 19 through August 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A tour fee of $10 ($5 for children 6−12) which supports Stone Lab student scholarships (cash/check only). To take part in this tour of Gibraltar Island, meet at the Boardwalk Restaurant Harbor Taxi Landing on South Bass Island by 10:45 a.m. to catch a water taxi (at a cost of $6 round-trip). In the first hour, groups will take a guided tour of the island, including Perry’s Lookout, the glacial grooves, Stone Lab buildings, and the outside of Cooke Castle. The second hour will focus on the Lake Erie research currently being conducted at Stone Lab. Tours are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and no reservations, with a maximum of 75 people.


 * Ohio State University also owns and operates the South Bass Island Lighthouse. Visitor can tour the Lighthouse and learn about its history on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. − 5:00 p.m. June 17 through August 13. For $3, visitors ($1 for children 6−12) can climb the stairs to take in a great view of Put-in-Bay from the top of the tower, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk free of charge.


 * Stop by the Aquatic Visitors Center, about one mile west of downtown Put-In-Bay, to experience Lake Erie science up close. The center is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday from June 19 through September 7. Activities include inspecting Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on displays, observing and identifying live fish in aquaria, and discovering current research to protect Lake Erie. Children under age 16 can fish from the fishing pier. Admission is free. Programs every Saturday introduce kids to science. For more information about the Aquatic Visitors Center, contact the Stone Lab Office at 419.285.1800 or visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu/avc.

Other Stone Laboratory Events
In addition to courses, workshops, field trips, and tours, Stone Laboratory also offers open events to the public.
 * In September, Stone Laboratory holds an Open House, a free event open to the public that includes a Tour of Stone Laboratory, Gibraltar Island, Free transportation to Gibraltar from OSU's Aquatic Visitors Center, Tour the 6.5-acre island and view Cooke Castle, Lectures and Laboratory sessions, Historical photos, summer class information, publications, Tour Historic South Bass Island Lighthouse StoneLaboratoryOpenHouse.jpg
 * Located in Columbus, OH in early January is the Annual Winter Program and Silent Auction, which highlights the successes of the previous summer.
 * In April, there is an annual Volunteer Work Weekend, hosted by the alumni group, Friends of Stone Laboratory (FOSL), to help get the Island ready for the summer courses and field trips.
 * During the Summer, every Thursday night there is a Guest Lecture that Members of the public are welcome and can take the Put-in-Bay Water Taxi (at their own expense) from the Boardwalk Restaurant Dock at 6:30 PM or 7:15 PM before each lecture. Additionally, individuals interested in the Guest Lectures but are not in the area can view the lectures and research briefs via a live web seminar from any computer with internet access.
 * In October, for Ohio State University Alumni and friends, The Buckeye-Island Hop event gives alumni and friends a chance to check out Gibraltar and South Bass islands, take part in an outdoor volunteer project, and meet new people.

Stone Laboratory History
The Ohio State University has had various research and teaching laboratories around Lake Erie.
 * In 1895, Professor David S. Kellicott created a second-floor lab in a Sandusky, Ohio fish hatchery, known as "The Lake Laboratory." His intention was "to afford an opportunity and a stimulus to instructors and students of biology to spend their vacations investigating living problems in biology, especially such as are connected with important industries like the fisheries." The project was approved and $350 was appropriated to construct a second floor on the State Fish Hatchery in Sandusky. Kellicott served as the laboratory director until his death in 1898.
 * In 1900, The first courses were offered to students at the Sandusky Location, in which 14 students attend.
 * In 1903, Needing more laboratory space, Ohio State acquires a 50-year lease for property on Sandusky Bay at Cedar Point. Construction of this new Lake Laboratory building costs $3,376.
 * In 1913, The Lake Laboratory is relocated to the upper story of the State Fish Hatchery at Put-in-Bay, OH on South Bass Island.
 * In 1925, Julius Stone presents Gibraltar island to the university “as a permanent home for the Lake Laboratory,” requesting only that it “shall remain the property of the University, [and] that it be devoted to the purposes and uses of teaching and research." The University accepts the gift, changing the name of the laboratory to Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory in honor of Julius Stone’s father.
 * In 1929, The first classes began on Gibraltar Island, and was dedicated on June 22, 1929, making it the oldest freshwater field station in the United States.
 * In 1940, The University receives ownership of the Federal Fish Hatchery on Peach Point, South Bass Island. The facility becomes the Laboratory’s principal research building.
 * In 1966, Cooke Castle is designated a Registered National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
 * In 1967, The South Bass Island Lighthouse becomes part of the University.
 * In 1971, The Center for Lake Erie Area Research is established with facilities at Stone Laboratory.
 * In 1978, The Ohio Sea Grant Program is created.
 * In 1988, Ohio State is named a Sea Grant College by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
 * In 2008, Project to bring sewer and water from Put-in-Bay to Gibraltar is completed. The Ohio Sea Grant College Program celebrates its 30th anniversary.
 * In 2012, Solar electricity and solar thermal panels are installed on Gibraltar Island.
 * In 2013, a record number of scholarships are awarded, totaling $86,000 given to 68 students.

Stone Laboratory Buildings

 * The Classroom Building is 3 floors and contains 21 rooms consisting of classrooms, offices, laboratories, an OSU general store facility, computer lab, and conference room. This building hosts workshops for grade school students throughout the year and over the summer full credit college courses are offered to advanced high school students, undergraduates and graduate students.
 * Cooke Castle, built in 1865 by Jay Cooke, currently being renovated, and is listed on National Register of Historic Places. The 15 room Victorian home was visited by such notables as General William Techumseh Sherman and President Rutherford B. Hayes. Plans to restore the building are underway.
 * Barney Cottage, built in approximately 1900 by Jay Cooke's daughter accomodates 22 guests, mainly TAs and staff, but occasionally students and chaperones.
 * The Dining Hall, built in 1929 by Ohio State, Stone Lab caters all meals for summer courses, workshops and special events here.
 * Stone Cottage, built in 1930 by Ohio State accommodates up to 10 instructors, visiting scientists, guests and seasonal laboratory staff.
 * Gibraltar House, built in 1930 by Ohio State as quarters for the research assistants and accommodates 8 individuals.
 * Harborview House, built in 1985 by Ohio State as a dormitory, is the main residence all for students and the only heated housing facility. Up to 60 guests can be accommodated in its 12, five person units that include private bathrooms. A laundry and vending area is also available in this building.

Island History
See Gibraltar Island