Flathead Lake Biological Station dedication June 21

The faculty and staff at the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station will celebrate the renovation and rededication of the site’s Elrod Building from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 21. The event is free and open to the public.

            The renovation of the building, named after FLBS founder Morton J. Elrod, addressed safety and access code deficiencies, as well as energy efficiency. Although its footprint did not change, many exterior and interior improvements were made and the original building’s cornerstone was relocated.

            During the renovation – made possible by a gift from the Walton Family Foundation – a time capsule from 1967 was discovered behind the cornerstone.

            Richard Solberg, the FLBS director in 1967, and his staff compiled interesting documents and memorabilia to represent their era and placed them in the time capsule. Current FLBS personnel inspired by this discovery are replacing the time capsule and its original contents and adding items from the present and recent past. Solberg will be in attendance at Friday’s event.

            Displays about the time capsule, new items to be included and the station’s current research can be viewed during the event. The rededication will take place at 5 p.m. and a guided tour of the station will be offered at 5:30 p.m.

            Ice cream, cookies and lemonade will be provided, and FLBS faculty and staff will be available to discuss the station’s history, mission and research.

            For more information call Tom Bansak, FLBS research scientist/development coordinator, at 406-982-3301 ext. 229 or email tom.bansak@umontana.edu.