People of Sayville: Linda Conron, Edwards Homestead

Linda Conron, administrator of the Edwards Homestead, which was built in 1785 by the son of Sayville’s first residents and is owned by the Sayville Historical Society, took some time to speak with us from the homestead on Tuesday.

How long have you lived in Sayville?
Since 1981. We were looking for a close-knit community where we could walk to things and where our kids could walk to things.

When did you join the historical society?
I joined back in ’84 or ’85. I became very involved almost right away and became responsible for the Edwards Homestead and became responsible for having work done that would keep it around. Old houses like this are a magnet for termites and other problems. It’s a constant battle to keep the building dry and intact.

Were you always interested in history?
I got my bachelor’s degree in math. I thought I would be a math teacher, but when push came to shove I decided I was not passionate enough about math to be a math teacher. When we moved here, I became very interested in old homes. We were looking for an old home to buy. So history became a passion.