The Wheeler Residence was situated on the 32-acre Townsend Jones Property, which was purchased by the Bio Lab in 1926. The building was named to honor Colonel Timothy Williams, who was an instrumental part of the Long Island Biological Association’s (LIBA) effort to purchase the property. The dilapidated Wheeler Residence was renovated with up-to-date amenities such as central heating and, in 1929, became apartment housing for Carnegie Institute staff members and visitors. Later, Williams was used as a winter dining facility.