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But the weather Friday didn't stop members of the Fairfield community from celebrating the renovation of the historic Burr Gardens Tea House at the Burr Homestead Mansion.
In the cold and the rain, volunteers from the Fairfield-based Bigelow Tea Co. joined the Burr Gardens Advisory Committee to celebrate the renovation.
“I’m so excited,” Fairfield resident Laura Fasano, the committee’s chairman, said shortly before she cut a ribbon to celebrate the renovation of the house. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Fasano also praised the town for its support of the project.
“The Department of Public Works was outstanding,” Fasano said “They’ve been there every step of the way.”
The Junior Women's Club of Fairfield helped fund the renovation, she said. Proceeds from a quilt "chance to win" at the Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival also went toward funding the project.
During the "chance to win," the festival gave away a quilt, a cross-stitch and antique gardening supplies, according to Jeanne Finlay, a member of the committee who made the cross-stitch.
Volunteers from the Bigelow Tea Co. handed out samples — including the company's popular Constant Comment tea, of course — as well as pastries to those who turned out for the event.
The event marks another chapter in the history of the tea house, which may have been constructed nearly 100 years ago. Members of the committee weren’t exactly sure when the tea house was built, but they believe it dates to the 1930s.
The tea house is located on the ornate campus of The Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Road.
The homestead includes a 10-room mansion, which was rebuilt in 1790 after the British burned down the house. Currently, the mansion hosts community events, private parties and fundraisers, according to the Fairfield Museum and History Center’s website.
In 1775, John Hancock married Dorothy Quincy on the property, according to the website.
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