Formal opening ceremonies were held on May 29, 1953, attended by representatives of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, the Carnegie Institution of New York, The Long Island Biological Association, and the staffs of both laboratories. The principal speaker for the event was Dr. Vannevar Bush, Carnegie Institution of Washington president at that time. Interestingly, in his address, Dr. Bush spoke about the various fields of research supported by the Carnegie Institution throughout the U.S. and commented, "But there is no science that is more fascinating, more intriguing, than the science of biology as it today flourishes." (Biological Laboratory Annual Report 1952-53).