Preservation Long Island continues to support the efforts of our local advocacy partners, the Oakdale Historical Society (who received our 2019 Organizational Excellence Award). Please contact the Oakdale Historical Society to find out how you can help them address dangerous and deteriorating condition issues at Idle Hour. This important historic property is privately owned by Mercury International LLC, which reportedly owes $3 million in back taxes to Suffolk County. You may also contact local officials to report poor conditions and other concerns:
- Call the Islip Town Division of Code Enforcement at (631) 224-5460 to report conditions which you believe may be a violation of New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Town of Islip Code.
- Contact Islip Town’s Constituent Services at (631) 224-5380 to report code violations and your concerns about littering and dumping, etc. Or submit a report online: https://islipny.gov/report
- Contact the Suffolk County Police to report vandalism or trespassing.
On November 29, 2018, the Islip Town Board voted unanimously in favor of adding Idle Hour’s mansion, powerhouse, well, and “love” tree to the town’s Planned Landmark Preservation Overlay District (PLP). Although future plans for Idle Hour’s structures are undecided, PLP designation is intended to protect the mansion, powerhouse, well, and love tree from demolition and encourage a sensitive approach to their adaptive reuse. The property was listed as one of Preservation Long Island’s Endangered Historic Places in 2017.
At soon to be determined date, Preservation Long Island will join Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo and the Oakdale Historical Society for a public press conference to raise awareness about the deteriorating conditions of the historic Idle Hour Estate, a designated landmark of the Town of Islip also listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places . The event will take place outdoors near the Guard Booth for the Idle Hour Mansion (on the former Dowling College campus) located on Idle Hour Boulevard. Please remember to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Location: Guard Booth on Idle Hour Boulevard
Date: TBD
Time:TBD
FACE MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED
