112 JL 



100 YEARS EXPLORING LIFE, 1888-1988 



E. B. Wilson with sons of the photographer. Photograph by Alfred F. Huettner, MBL Archives. 



MBL Stoj^ and CfuUiren 



In addition to the scientists, the administrators, and the librarians, the MBL 

 has a host of other people who keep things running year-round. These 

 people are truly indispensable, even though they are often not accorded the 

 attention they deserve. From the watchmen to the janitors, to the collecting, 

 dining hall, electrical, buildings and grounds, chemical, and mail room 

 staffs, and all in-between, this considerable and influential group includes 

 individuals who are fascinating in their own right. One finds a buildings 

 supervisor who was born and has always lived in the same house in Woods 

 Hole and whose family has worked for the MBL since the beginning. Or a 

 watchman who has traveled around the world and has read more widely 

 than most academics. Or the administrative assistant whose grandmotlier 

 owned houses next to the Eel Pond and who herself worked cleaning rooms 

 at the lab years ago. Or the janitor who, as a native Latin American, has a 

 wealth of information and more than a few ideas that he would like to teach 

 the U.S. government officials about Central American life, histoiy, and 

 politics. 



One other group of MBL people to whom visitors should listen if they 

 want to get at tliat much-touted MBL spirit is tlie children. MBL children are 



