July 4th Celebrations in Brockport with the Morgan-Manning House Museum
by MaryLynne Turner, Trustee, Morgan-Manning House Museum
Who remembers the multiple 1976 Bicentennial events in Brockport?
Some of you might have celebrated elsewhere. Some of you might not have been born yet. It’s interesting to look back at what went on 50 years ago. In 1976, a Sweden Bicentennial Committee was formed. It filled the week prior to Independence Day with activities, starting on June 26.
Festivities got underway the Saturday before the 4th with a Chicken BBQ dinner sponsored by the Fire Department ($1.75 Children, $2.75 Adults), followed by a huge parade, including a Hojack train that provided rides afterward. The evening ended with a fireworks display.
On Sunday, there was a village walking tour that started and ended at the Morgan-Manning House, followed by a Tea at the House.
Downtown Merchants held their annual Sidewalk Sale Thursday through Saturday, July 1-3.
On July 1, there was a Colonial Dinner at the Fire Hall, provided by the Auxiliary. The community gathered for a Street Dance on July 2, and on July 3, Boy Scouts presented a Time Capsule to Mayor Jim Stull.
Church bells rang throughout the village on Sunday, July 4, at 2 p.m., followed by a joint church service at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Later that afternoon, a family picnic with games and music was held on the Middle School grounds. Attendees were asked to bring their own food. The event featured a barbershop quartet and an appearance by the U.S. Olympic Judo Team.
For the ten days prior to the 4th, from June 24 to July 4, a group of 22 members of the Brockport High School track team and two coaches, John Izzo and Harold Milward, ran a total of 1,776 miles in a relay, handing off a special baton at each leg.
In 1981, the first annual Community 4th of July celebration took place on the front lawn of the Morgan-Manning House, organized by Co-President Connie Drdek, and Eunice Chesnut, coordinator of events. 45 years later, the Morgan-Manning House Museum is pleased to continue this celebration. This year, it will be held at SUNY Brockport, thanks to the generosity of the University following the devastating fire at the Morgan-Manning House in January 2025.
Come one, come all for a big 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Celebration
July 4, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us at SUNY Brockport’s Hartwell Hall lawn
for the Children’s Parade, Games, Music,
Burgers & Hots, and our famous Cake Walk.
Parade gathers at 9:15 a.m. Cake Walk at 1:30 p.m.
