In the 1998 Annual Report, comments were included on the renovation of the Laboratory's old Power House and the adjacent former Carpentry Shed. By spring 1999, the buildings were converted into one structure using designs by Centerbrook Architects. The results provided office space for the Departments of Public Affairs, Development, and Human Resources. New dormers and larger light monitors were added.

The remodeling was financed in part by two $200,000 gifts from the William and Maude Pritchard Charitable Trust and from the Estate of Vernon L. Merrill. The Development conference room was named for Mrs. Merrill.