As recorded in the 1942 Annual Report of The Biological Laboratory, "Through the foresight and generosity of Mrs. Henry W. de Forest... nine acres of... land and several... buildings, have become the property of the Association and a permanent memorial to our late benefactor, Mr. de Forest."

The de Forest Stables had been erected in 1914 by Clinton Mackenzie, a noted Long Island landscape architect.

The substantial building was described as containing two apartments, several garages, and good storage space. Constructed of concrete with vertical boards sheathing the second story, it was used as year-round housing for scientific staff for more than 70 years.