A village-wide collaboration of organizations and businesses
“There are so many great houses in this village that so many of us walk by,” Jason Dauenhauer said. “The houses have a rich history of people who lived there and how they contributed to this community.” Dauenhauer is Secretary of Brockport’s Historical Preservation Board (BHPB). He and Kevin McCarthy, Chair of that committee, are heading a project to enable people to see inside some of those historic homes they normally pass by. The “Historic Housewalk” is set for Sunday, June 11. Ticket-holders in small-groups will tour six village landmark homes.
The Housewalk home tours run from 1 to 4 p.m., preceded by free tours of the Emily L. Knapp Museum at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free tours of the Morgan-Manning House begin at 12 until 4 p.m. At 4 p.m. there will be a beer and wine-tasting reception with light hors d’oeuvres at the Morgan-Manning House carriage house for ticket holders.
Tickets for the Housewalk tours cost $15 per person. There are only 100 tickets available in order to keep tour groups small. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards continued preservation efforts by the Western Monroe Historical Society which maintains the Morgan-Manning House. Tour details and ticket sales information will be available in May at brockportny.org (also, see side bar).
The six tour houses are among 80 village houses so far designated as village landmarks. The Brockport Historic Preservation Board is responsible for identifying the Village’s significant historic and architectural resources, and initiating the designation process of Village landmarks and historic districts. The Board also reviews applications for proposed exterior changes to buildings that are village landmarks or in Village historic districts.
A Village landmark is an officially designated property/building that meets one or more of the criteria which includes possessing special historic importance to the village, such as identifying with an important person or event; exhibiting distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or architect; and having a unique location of physical character that represents a familiar visual feature of the village.
The Housewalk event is a major collaboration among various institutions and businesses across the community: The Western Monroe Historical Society and Emily Knapp Museum providing museum tours; Walk! Bike! Brockport! Action Group giving volunteer support; The College at Brockport providing all marketing communications such as posters, tickets and maps.
The post-tour beer and wine tasting is provided by Stoneyard Brewing and Mahan’s Discount Liquor & Wine. The village’s BHPB is organizing the event with college-community leadership represented in Jason Danenhauer, a College professor and village resident, and Kevin McCarthy, a resident and landlord in the village.
“The idea is ‘Let’s celebrate Brockport’s history. Let’s learn about some of these great old houses,’ ” Danenhauer said about the House Walk. “And, it’s a great bonus for the community if people are encouraged to consider moving to the village or if villagers become interested in applying for landmark status of their homes.”
House Walk schedule:
•11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Emily Knapp Museum (49 State Street) open for tours.*
•12 to 4 p.m. – Morgan Manning House, 151 Main Street, open for tours.*
*Free/open to the public (no ticket purchase required).
•1 to 4 p.m. – Historic House Walk featuring six village homes.
•4 to 5:30 p.m. – Beer and wine-tasting reception at the Morgan-Manning Carriage House with light hors d’oeuvres. For ticket holders only.
Six houses on the walk:
40 College Street, 45 State Street, 61 Monroe Avenue, 76 Adams Street, 47 Park Avenue and 306 Main Street.
Tickets available:
Village of Brockport Office, 49 State Street; Morgan-Manning House, 151 Main Street; The College at Brockport Advancement Office (third floor Allen Building); Red Bird Café & Gift Shop, 25 Main Street.
