Interlochen Center for the Arts’ Board of Trustees has voted to raze the rustic Green Lake cabin that in the 1990s was called Epstein Lodge for convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a donor to Interlochen in the 1990s. Though no abuse by Epstein was ever alleged to have taken place at Interlochen, the institution removed any recognition of him in 2009, including renaming the cabin Green Lake Lodge.

Interlochen hired a civil rights law firm last June to conduct an investigation into sexual misconduct that took place in the 1960s and 1970s on campus.

Interlochen President Trey Devey sent the following statement to The Ticker:

"After careful review and discussion, the Interlochen Board of Trustees has approved a plan to raze Green Lake Lodge.

This recommendation followed a thorough and deliberate process. Our Finance & Budget Committee, which is responsible for Interlochen’s real estate assets, reviewed the matter carefully, considering the building’s history, current condition, associated risks, and the broader impact on our community. Following that review, the committee brought its recommendation to the full Board, which approved this next step.

Green Lake Lodge has, over time, come to carry associations that are not reflective of who we are as an institution or the values we strive to uphold. After careful consideration, the Board determined that removing this structure in a safe and timely manner is the right step for Interlochen at this time. 

Now that the Board has approved this plan, we expect to move forward soon."