Burr, Theodore, House
Also known as: Oxford Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Overlooking Fort Hill Square and the Chenango River in Oxford, New York, this two-story frame house was built between 1810 and 1812 by Theodore Burr, a pioneer bridge designer. The main block has a hipped roof with a low cupola, a two-story verandah with Ionic columns, and recessed side wings. Its form reflects the transition from Federal to Greek Revival style, and later Victorian details such as cast-iron balusters and oriel windows were added. Burr, one of Oxford's founding settlers, patented the Burr truss in 1817 and built bridges across the Northeast, including crossings of the Hudson and Susquehanna rivers. He lived in the house only about two years before moving to Pennsylvania. The house was a private home until 1843, then a rectory, and in 1900 was given to the village as a free public library. It is the only surviving structure tied to Burr's life and work, since none of his major bridges still stand.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Theodore Burr, a pioneer American bridge designer whose Burr truss design was widely used for half a century. It is also significant as an example of the Federal and Greek Revival styles later enhanced with Victorian detail. It is the only remaining structure associated with Burr's life and work.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 81000402, listed September 11, 1981. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Fort Hill Sq., Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Chenango County |
| Listed | September 11, 1981 |
| Reference number | 81000402 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Theodore Burr |
| Architectural style | Federal/Greek Revival transitional, with later Victorian detailing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as the Oxford Memorial Library and Oxford Historical Society museum; condition listed as excellent and unaltered apart from the wing additions and 1970s updates. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Oxford Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.44080, -75.59638 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 81000402.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7781718
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.