The Burr Mansion in Fairfield, CT: The 1700s’ Party House of American Revolutionaries

What was it like to be a baller in the 1700’s? Just ask Peter Burr, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the Connecticut Colony, who built the Burr Mansion in 1732. This sprawling estate at 739 Old Post Road in Fairfield, CT wasn’t just a home—it was a statement. A statement of power, influence, and high society. Over the centuries, it would evolve from a grand residence into a meeting place for revolutionaries, a hideout for patriots, and even the setting for a love triangle involving John Hancock, Dorothy Quincy, and a flirtatious Aaron Burr.

A Colonial Powerhouse with a Front-Row Seat to History

Peter Burr’s mansion quickly became one of the most prominent homes in Fairfield’s high society, but its true historical significance took shape under his nephew, Thaddeus Burr. A wealthy landowner and political insider, Thaddeus transformed the estate into a center of influence, hospitality, and political discourse. His connections ran deep—his cousin, Aaron Burr, would later become Vice President of the United States (and the infamous duelist who killed Alexander Hamilton).

But before Aaron Burr made his mark on history, Thaddeus Burr’s mansion played host to some of the biggest names in the American Revolution. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Marquis de Lafayette, and John Adams all walked through its halls, strategizing over the fate of the nation while enjoying the finest colonial refreshments.

A Wedding, a War, and a Devastating Fire

One of the most famous events at the Burr Mansion was the 1775 wedding of John Hancock and Dorothy Quincy. Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, had fled Boston due to rising tensions with the British and found refuge at the Burr estate. The love story, however, took an unexpected turn—legend has it that Aaron Burr took a particular interest in Dorothy Quincy, causing quite a stir. Concerned by Aaron’s advances, Dorothy’s chaperone Lydia Hancock sent word to John Hancock, urging him to hurry to Fairfield. Hancock wasted no time, arriving in town and marrying Dorothy at the Burr Mansion on August 28, 1775.

But the Revolutionary War would soon come to Fairfield’s doorstep. In 1779, British forces under Governor Tryon launched an attack on Fairfield, setting the town ablaze. Despite Tryon’s promise to spare the mansion, his hungry and unpaid Hessian soldiers looted the estate, stealing everything—including, according to one story, the silver buckles off Eunice Burr’s shoes—before burning the house to the ground. With their home reduced to ashes, the Burr family and other townspeople were forced to take refuge in a storehouse on the property.

Rebuilding with a Little Help from John Hancock

Rather than admit defeat, Thaddeus Burr set out to rebuild his estate. Enter John Hancock, who offered to supply the glass and timber—on one condition: the new mansion had to match his own home in Boston. Burr accepted the offer, and in 1793, master carpenter Daniel Dimon completed the new Burr Mansion, which featured a grand central hall, 10 fireplaces, an elegant staircase, and classic dormer windows.

19th-Century Renovations and Notable Owners

In the 1840s, the mansion underwent another transformation under Obadiah W. Jones, a wealthy merchant from New York. Jones raised the roof, added towering, fluted columns, and replaced the original fireplaces with marble mantels, giving the home the Greek Revival elegance it retains today.

Over the years, the estate passed through the hands of several prominent owners, including A. Holland Forbes, an architect and early balloonist who made significant changes to the property, and DeVer Warner, who further modified the home in 1914.

The Burr Mansion Today: A Place Where History Lives On

By 1963, the Town of Fairfield landmarked the mansion, recognizing its deep historical significance. Today, the Burr Homestead and its beautifully restored gardens are managed by Fairfield and available for weddings, galas, and community events, carrying on its long-standing tradition as a gathering place for the elite.