by Meg Francis

First built in 1700, the mansion was burned by the British in 1779,
then rebuilt. It was the site of John Hancock's wedding.

FAIRFIELD, CONN. -- The historic gardens and arboretum at Fairfield's Burr Homestead, listed on the National Register, are undergoing restoration to recreate their 1700's grandeur. Following a long-range master plan, the landscape of the colonial mansion is being redesigned to reflect the home's Eighteenth Century elegance. The mansion and its grounds were the site of the Fairfield Historical Society's House Restoration and Garden Show in early April, 1999. Exhibitors from throughout New England will be offed sources and solutions for home restoration and garden projects. One of the exhibitors, Oliver Nurseries, has taken a major role in helping to restore the Burr Homestead gardens.

Originally owned by three generations of Fairfield's distinguished Burr family, the mansion was built around 1700 and burned by the British in 1779. After being rebuilt in 1779, the Homestead remained a private residence until it was purchased by the town in 1962. The wedding site of John Hancock and Dorothy Quincy in 1775, at the Burr Homestead, may now be reserved for private wedding receptions. It is also used for exhibitions and fund raising events sponsored by cultural, civic, educational and charitable organizations.

The Burr grounds have been the focus of the town's attention for several years and, in 1996, a design plan was adopted, calling for enhancement of the existing arboretum. The uses will be for both educational and scientific purposes. Implementation of the plan will be flexible, in response to available funding and volunteer assistance, in a public-private partnership.

The mansion has had many owners over its 300 year history. There have been additions, including the brick wall along the front, the enclosed sun parlor and the second story of the west wing. The 15-room mansion is surrounded by four acres of grounds that, in the past, included formal gardens and an arboretum of trees and shrubs. These grounds have been mentioned in several historical accounts. A 1930s era description speaks of there "being a maze of rare plants and ancient trees...Winding bluestone walks led to a garden house by a reflecting pool and to a greenhouse of exotic flowers...The grounds were banked with deep evergreens; there was an orchard and vegetable garden, an immediate garden around the house and a tall, thick hedge, which provided separation between the gardens. Many great trees graced the lawns."

The garden design, typical of its day, relied on symmetry, featuring a central, linear axis intersected by secondary paths that created distinct yet related garden compartments. The Burr Homestead's central axis extended from the entrance gate at the Old Post Road, up the front walk, through the center hall, out the back entrance, through the formal gardens on a bluestone path, known as the Garden Walk, and south toward Long Island Sound. The Garden Walk has been restored as a central pedestrian path, linked with a system of clearly-defined paths that outline garden boundaries and connect focal points. A garden house, once used to entertain the private owners' guests, will be linked with the magnolia tree area via a new path across the Garden Walk. The three magnificent copper beeches on the grounds will be surrounded by dogwoods and magnolias, as well as evergreens and native shrubs, in the planned arboretum design.

Restoration of the formal gardens began with Oliver Nurseries supplying many of the plantings. Scott Jamison, the present owner, has been an active participant in the planning and execution of the garden design. The nursery was founded by John Oliver, Sr in the 1950s and has become known throughout the Northeast for its superb plant materials, especially azaleas and rhododendrons, conifers, perennials, alpine plants, dwarf perennials, and ornamental trees and shrubs.

One catalogue tip advises that "like diamonds and antiques, plants have an investment value," reminding buyers that proper selection may yield a dividend as the plant ages, due to scarcity and propagation difficulties. These factors, in addition to size, must be considered when evaluating a plant's cost. Only propagated versions of native plants are offered, in keeping with the firm's policy of protecting wild populations.

Trevor Youngberg, residential potter at the nurseries, will demonstrate his custom-made birdbaths, pots and planters, finished with glazes that can be colored to blend with the homeowner's designs. Oliver's will also have other garden ornaments and some choice dwarf plant material for sale.

For more information, call the Fairfield Historical Society, 203/259-1598.

 

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