On Sunday, June 10, at 3 o’clock, Eunice Chesnut will share special recollections from her 30-plus years as historian at the Morgan-Manning House in Brockport, located at 151 Main Street.
Eunice began at the Morgan-Manning House in 1976 as a volunteer guide, a newsletter writer, and performing other duties. In 1980, The Western Monroe Historical Society, with offices in the historic home, hired Eunice to research and record local history of the Brockport area. “All I had to start with were two bushel baskets of the Morgan family letters that were saved from the 1964 fire,” Eunice said, referring to a tragedy that destroyed part of the home. The Western Monroe Historical Society purchased the home in 1965, then restored its original elegance to become a Landmark, and has maintained it as a museum and meeting place.
“Over the years, I gathered information to fill 26 four-drawer file cabinets,” she said, “and it all started with those two bushel baskets.” With material she had gleaned over 25 years, Eunice published the 325-page “Encyclopedia of Brockport” in May 2010. Having published several other books on Brockport area history, the Encyclopedia is her major work with 200 places listed and facts on nearly 2,000 people from the area’s earliest arrivals to current residents.
At the June 10 “Recollections,” Eunice will recall people, possessions, publications, parties, and memorable events that have led to today’s treasured Morgan-Manning House. Refreshments will be served. The Western Monroe Historical Society is sponsoring the program.
Admission is free. Those attending are asked to bring donations of packaged foods and/or paper products which will be delivered to the Brockport Food Shelf in memory of Monika Andrews.
Those interested in attending are asked to call Janet at 637-3645.
Editor’s note: Some information and quotes were adapted from a Westside News Inc. feature article by Doug Hickerson, published May 30, 2010.
