In 1933, the Laboratory birthed the conference-symposia construct, which would take place during the summer. In 1934, the first CSHL Symposium was held.

The improvement in the arrangement, decoration and furnishing of small existing apartments was the initial preparation for the first CSHL Symposium. It also was decided by Long Island Biological Association that furnishings must be carried farther during the coming year by completing two small cottages suitable for summer use.

The unemployment committees of Oyster Bay and Huntington provided skilled and unskilled labor to build the two cottages. Later, one of the cottages was named after the scientist William H. Cole of Rutgers University, who served on the LIBA board and visited the lab frequently.