Station Facilities

Housing

The Station can house up to 48 people in six residences. Valentine House is a two-story, heated, wood-frame building with its 2,284 square feet divided into six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining room, and a laundry/utility room. Howell Cottage is a one-story, heated, cinderblock building with its 1,367 square feet divided into three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.  Wright and Deacon Cottages are one-story, cinderblock buildings, together amounting to 1,000 square feet, each with two bedrooms and a bathroom.  They are unheated and used only in the warmer months (typically April to October), as is Illges Cottage (currently closed pending renovation), a two-story, wood-frame building with 1,237 square feet downstairs and 667 square feet upstairs that has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living room.  Students enrolled in courses and other short-term residents are usually housed in Wright or Deacon Cottages.  With the help of the National Science Foundation, the Cannon Foundation, and the Highlands Biological Foundation, a Duplex of about 1,500 square feet was constructed in 2003.  It can accommodate up to eight persons.

Most rooms at HBS accommodate two people.  The occupants of two rooms share a common bath.  Several of the residences have living rooms.  Blankets, bed linens, and towels can be supplied at additional cost.  Please note that arrangements for this service should be made at the time of reservation. For those bringing their own bedding, it is advisable to bring two blankets. Nights are cool and rain is frequent in the summer months.  Investigators should bring adequate raingear and warm clothing. 

Housing Fees:

Laboratory Space

For individual investigators, laboratory fees are $40 per week for a carrel and $80 per week for a research room.  If more than one investigator is using a space, an additional fee of $5 per week for a carrel and $15 per week for a research room is charged for each additional person.

Investigators requiring exclusive use of other laboratory facilities will be charged supplementary fees on a negotiated basis.  Investigators in residence who do not require a carrel or room will be charged a fee of $8.00 per day for access to the library and common laboratory facilities (temporary bench space, plant dryers, refrigerators, computers, etc.).

Graduate students and faculty from member institutions may be provided laboratory space for limited periods, as available, without charge, upon application to the Director of the Station.

Recipients of Station grants-in-aid of research are provided laboratory space without charge as a provision of the grant.

Regulations

The Station attempts to keep rules and regulations to a minimum. Although limited housekeeping services are provided to keep common areas (kitchens, bathrooms, laboratories, etc.) clean, occupants take primary responsibility for their own rooms and are expected to maintain reasonable standards of cleanliness in their living quarters.  DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER PETS CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED, and there is no smoking in any of the buildings.   

Dining

The original Sam T. Weyman Laboratory at HBS, built in 1930, has been renovated into a main dining hall.  It is a one-story, wood-frame building of about 1,400 square feet, currently used as a kitchen by residents of Illges, Wright, and Deacon Cottages.  The Station has not served meals since 1972, but refrigerators, stoves, and kitchen appliances and utensils are provided.  Grocery stores and restaurants are located within a half-mile of the Station.

Laundry

A general-use laundry facility with a washer and dryer is located on the east side of the Weyman Building.  There is also a laundry room in Valentine House for its residents.

Recreational Opportunities

Recreational opportunities abound in the Highlands area.  Hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities are practically limitless on nearby National Forest lands.

Hospitals

There is a first-rate, modern hospital in Highlands located on Hwy 64E towards Cashiers.

Reservations

Applications for research space and housing should be made early in the year by contacting the Station at 828-526-2602 (e-mail: hbs@email.wcu.edu), and by submitting a Reservation Form.

Recipients of grants-in-aid should confirm acceptance and make reservations as soon as possible after receiving notification of the award.