Lucy Sawyer Thompson was born in 1873 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and left a lasting legacy in the Oakdale-Sayville community. In 1926, she purchased the Vanderbilt farm group, six years after William Vanderbilt’s death. Vanderbilt’s son had sold the estate off, and Lucy acquired the property, marking the beginning of the Idle Hour Artists Colony in Oakdale, NY.
Lucy came from a fascinating genealogical background, with her lineage tracing back to 1550 in England, where her tenth great-grandfather, Thomas Sawyer, lived. Her family’s American story began in 1640 when Edward Sawyer crossed the ocean with his son James to settle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Seven generations later, Lucy married William Andrew Thompson, a successful railroad executive who later became an oil magnate and co-founder of the Texaco Oil Company. The couple had two sons and settled in New York. Tragically, William passed away unexpectedly in 1922 at the age of 50.
Lucy’s life was nothing short of remarkable. She spent her early years living on a reservation in Sioux Country, North Dakota, and later, with her husband, lived in Texas during the early days of oil field development. An adventurer with a deep pride in her heritage, Lucy was also a family historian, a dedicated member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of the Colonial Mothers of America.
Under Lucy’s influence, Oakdale became a haven for artists during the challenging times of Prohibition and the Great Depression. To improve her financial situation, Lucy began renting out various buildings and selling portions of the farm group. This marked the beginning of her experiment to support fellow artists in developing their crafts. The Idle Hour Artists Colony attracted a colorful array of full-time and part-time residents, including notable artists such as Henry Allen Westin, Carl Nordell, Ernest Albert, George Elmer Browne, and Lynn T. Morgan. Lucy also enjoyed the company of Bronco Charlie, with whom she regularly swapped stories.
In addition to her vibrant life within the artist community, Lucy was actively involved in supporting the local community. She organized fundraisers and fairs for local organizations, including the Sayville Library. For over twenty-five years, Lucy Sawyer Thompson contributed significantly to the cultural life of the area, fostering the arts and enriching the local community.
Lucy passed away in 1954, and her estate was eventually sold off, marking the end of the Idle Hour Artists Colony. However, her legacy lives on, as the Islip Town designated the Artist Colony an Historical District in 1976. Today, visitors can explore the area and immerse themselves in the history and spirit of the artist community that Lucy helped create.