Nevis Laboratories is Columbia University's primary center for the study of high-energy experimental particle and nuclear physics. Approximately 12 faculty members, 14 postdoctoral research scientists, and 20 graduate students, supported by a 10-member engineering and technical staff, engage in the preparation, design, and construction of high-energy particle and nuclear experiments and equipment. These experiments and equipment are transported to major national accelerator laboratories for data collection; the data resulting from these experiments are then processed and analyzed using the extensive computer systems at Nevis. Experiments are currently taking place at Fermilab in Chicago, Illinois; CERN in Switzerland; and Brookhaven National Lab on Long Island in Upton, New York.

Nevis Laboratories are located on a scenic 60-acre estate originally owned by the son of Alexander Hamilton. The duPont family of Delaware donated the estate to the University in 1934, and construction of physics facilities at Nevis began in 1947. In the early 1950's Dwight D. Eisenhower, then President of the University, inaugurated what was then the world's most powerful cyclotron, which was eventually retired in 1978.

Col. James Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, built this mansion in 1836. He named it Nevis, after the birthplace of his father. The mansion house is still located on the Nevis Labs property.

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