The Peter Burr House is the oldest standing wood frame structure in West Virginia.
When
the timbers were being hewn, George the Second was King of England. George Washington had
recently purchased his first tract of land nearby. Charles Town did not yet exist, and Mecklenburg
and Harpers Ferry were fledgling villages clinging to the banks of the Potomac. It was in the late
1740's when Peter Burr I, future uncle of the notorious Aaron Burr, arrived from Fairfield,
Connecticut.
The Peter Burr House is one of West Virginia's most important historic treasures. Its story spans
the period from early settlement, through the birth of our nation and the tragedy of the Civil War,
to well into the 20th century.
Although it has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1981, the Peter Burr
House was almost lost when it passed out of the hands of the Burr family and into those of local
government. Deterioration and vandalism took their toll. Then it was acquired by the Jefferson
County Historic Landmarks, who began restoring it in 1998.
Early restoration efforts focused on stabilizing the building and assessing the scope of the
restoration effort. During the current phase of restoration, the Commission is conducting pre-development archeological investigations, repairing the foundation, and making the existing walls
and roof weatherproof. Some interior restoration is also underway so that the downstairs rooms
can accommodate visitors. Once the exterior of the house has been addressed, the interior will
undergo restoration and the outer walls and roof will returned to their early 19th century
appearance.
The house has many stories to tell, so while the restoration is under way, we are bringing it and
the grounds to life by creating The Peter Burr Living History Farm. The Farm, an 8-acre complex, is a work in progress which will show you what it
was like to live here in the 1790's, when Peter Burr was still alive.
The Farm's reproduction of a mid-18th century barn is almost complete. Public restrooms are
being built, and work is underway to provide other needed public services. Interpretative and
educational programs, concerts, and many other attractions are being planned for you and your
family.
We could use your help to preserve the Peter Burr House so that you and future visitors can
experience this living piece of history.
Why are Peter Burr and His House Important?
From the early days of settlement, the area now known as Jefferson County has represented a
clash of Northern and Southern values and cultures. Unlike many other local properties of the
period, the Peter Burr site is not a plantation but rather the home of a yeoman farmer. As such, it
is an extremely rare survival and important example of a way of life that was overshadowed
locally by Tidewater culture.
Peter Burr II, the son of the man who built the house, lived there until he died in 1793. He was
the cousin of Aaron Burr, whose goals and views were frequently at odds with those of George
Washington and his supporters. During the American Revolution, Aaron Burr supported Generals
Charles Lee and Horatio Gates in their efforts to depose George Washington. (Both generals
settled in Jefferson County after being dismissed by George Washington. Gates' home, Travellers
Rest, is located near the Peter Burr farm.) Peter Burr's associations with his cousin and with
George Washington's cashiered generals further suggest that he did not share the values of the
Washington family members who had settled in the area.
Interpretation of the Peter Burr Farm will provide a valuable perspective on the origins of
Jefferson County and on the themes that would later produce the state of West Virginia.
The Peter Burr Living History Farm seeks to restore the site to its late-18th century condition and
to use it as a vehicle for heritage education. Activities will include planting, cultivating, and
harvesting period crops as well as food preparation and other domestic activities.
Work will be performed by persons in period dress using implements of the period. Social,
cultural, economic, and political themes will also be presented. Comparisons with nearby
plantations will be explored. Program emphasis will focus on youth education through the active
participation of volunteers and guests in daily farm activities.
