Oxford celebrates Burr House Bicentennial and Covered Bridge Resource Center grand opening
OXFORD – On July 2, the Oxford Memorial Library held a Grand Opening of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center as well as the bicentennial of the library’s building. There were displays by covered bridge societies in Fort Hill Park, music by the Community Band, dignitaries, speeches, a dedication ceremony, tours, refreshments, presentations, a barbecue, balloons, and even a special guest (amazingly at the ripe old age of 240), Theodore Burr himself!
The celebrity that is Oxford’s very own Theodore Burr (1771-1822), the “Father of American bridge building,” originally came to Oxford in 1792. Burr, known for his “extended travels” defied his own mortality and came back to Oxford for this celebration. The story of his life, accomplishments and even a hypothetical question and answer period was performed with charm and elegance by Burr impersonator, Bill Brower. (There is no known likeness of the famed bridge designer so Bill has given a physical image to the verbal Burr portrait.) In full costume, Brower amused and enlightened a full audience in the library’s new Community Room.
In brief this special guest, “Burr” explained that he designed and built the Federal style mansion – which now houses Oxford’s public library – in 1811, 200 years ago. It is in fact, the only structure that he built which remains in existence today, making it very special indeed. It has been a library since 1901, and Theodore was proud to add, that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Burr also talked about his timber bridge designs that were even able to span over 200’ due to the invention of his patented and very strong truss/arch combination. He designed many impressive bridges, and although none of his stand today, there are still over two-hundred Burr truss style bridges in the U.S. Trish Kane, who along with her husband Bob provided much of the material for the Resource Center, was on hand to add a few details that the “absent minded Burr” forgot. At his age, however, he was certainly forgiven.
Another (much younger) special guest was Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch, Assembly District 107. He presented the Oxford Memorial Library with a framed Legislative Resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Burr house.
The Oxford Memorial Library bears a beautiful new sign, hand painted by Kim Begeal, with the name of the library’s new room, the “Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center.” The TBCB Resource Center had its Grand Opening and dedication, and tours were provided during this celebration. The room was dedicated to Charlotte F. Stafford, Town and Village of Oxford Historian; and Richard T. Donovan, Mr. Covered Bridge Extraordinaire. It has two oak desks, many shelves displaying covered bridge models and truss examples, as well as a library full of books, magazines and newsletters (from all the bridge societies) about covered bridges. The inviting room was kept period appropriate for the Federal-style house but has several modern amenities including a computer. A great deal of work went into making this just right, and the Library’s Board of Directors thanked a long list of contributors from all over the U.S. and Canada. The impact of this Center may not seem obvious at first, but the potential for educational recognition is there.
There are many covered bridge societies, including the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania whose group was exhibiting that day in Fort Hill Park. The Resource Center will be to research students, covered bridge societies, and fans of covered bridges what Cooperstown is to baseball. There is no other covered bridge center like it. The new research facility will attract serious scholars to Oxford who are looking for covered bridge images (photos, post cards, or slides), researching bridge history and details, and other documentation. For covered bridge fans, just being able to sit in the house that Burr built, it will be extra inspirational.
For visitors to this special celebration, there was a complimentary “I Love Covered Bridges” tote bag. It had a PON brochure, related bridge brochures, info on Bob and Trish Kane’s new NYS Covered Bridge Driving Tour book, and included discount coupons provided by Bartle’s, Clachan Coffee House, Gallery 3-2-1, Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor, Roma’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, and the Stadium Sports Bar & Grill. It was a grand day to remember … making history come alive.
The celebrity that is Oxford’s very own Theodore Burr (1771-1822), the “Father of American bridge building,” originally came to Oxford in 1792. Burr, known for his “extended travels” defied his own mortality and came back to Oxford for this celebration. The story of his life, accomplishments and even a hypothetical question and answer period was performed with charm and elegance by Burr impersonator, Bill Brower. (There is no known likeness of the famed bridge designer so Bill has given a physical image to the verbal Burr portrait.) In full costume, Brower amused and enlightened a full audience in the library’s new Community Room.
In brief this special guest, “Burr” explained that he designed and built the Federal style mansion – which now houses Oxford’s public library – in 1811, 200 years ago. It is in fact, the only structure that he built which remains in existence today, making it very special indeed. It has been a library since 1901, and Theodore was proud to add, that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Burr also talked about his timber bridge designs that were even able to span over 200’ due to the invention of his patented and very strong truss/arch combination. He designed many impressive bridges, and although none of his stand today, there are still over two-hundred Burr truss style bridges in the U.S. Trish Kane, who along with her husband Bob provided much of the material for the Resource Center, was on hand to add a few details that the “absent minded Burr” forgot. At his age, however, he was certainly forgiven.
Another (much younger) special guest was Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch, Assembly District 107. He presented the Oxford Memorial Library with a framed Legislative Resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Burr house.
The Oxford Memorial Library bears a beautiful new sign, hand painted by Kim Begeal, with the name of the library’s new room, the “Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center.” The TBCB Resource Center had its Grand Opening and dedication, and tours were provided during this celebration. The room was dedicated to Charlotte F. Stafford, Town and Village of Oxford Historian; and Richard T. Donovan, Mr. Covered Bridge Extraordinaire. It has two oak desks, many shelves displaying covered bridge models and truss examples, as well as a library full of books, magazines and newsletters (from all the bridge societies) about covered bridges. The inviting room was kept period appropriate for the Federal-style house but has several modern amenities including a computer. A great deal of work went into making this just right, and the Library’s Board of Directors thanked a long list of contributors from all over the U.S. and Canada. The impact of this Center may not seem obvious at first, but the potential for educational recognition is there.
There are many covered bridge societies, including the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania whose group was exhibiting that day in Fort Hill Park. The Resource Center will be to research students, covered bridge societies, and fans of covered bridges what Cooperstown is to baseball. There is no other covered bridge center like it. The new research facility will attract serious scholars to Oxford who are looking for covered bridge images (photos, post cards, or slides), researching bridge history and details, and other documentation. For covered bridge fans, just being able to sit in the house that Burr built, it will be extra inspirational.
For visitors to this special celebration, there was a complimentary “I Love Covered Bridges” tote bag. It had a PON brochure, related bridge brochures, info on Bob and Trish Kane’s new NYS Covered Bridge Driving Tour book, and included discount coupons provided by Bartle’s, Clachan Coffee House, Gallery 3-2-1, Hoppie’s Ice Cream Parlor, Roma’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, and the Stadium Sports Bar & Grill. It was a grand day to remember … making history come alive.
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