On July 20, 2015, the Brockport Village Board signed two proclamations. Each document separately extols the volunteer careers of Kathy Goetz and Jackie Morris upon their retirement from official roles in preserving Brockport’s history. The proclamations are summed up within Kathy’s and Jackie’s stories from recent interviews.
Kathy Goetz –
Historic Preservation Board Chair emeritus
Kathy Goetz and her family moved to their present home on Park Avenue in Brockport in 1978. Her interest in Brockport history started with that home which was built in 1840. “I always loved history and was a social worker,” she said about studying people and their past. “Buying a home with the historic roots it had, I wanted to learn more about it.” She soon was introduced to the Morgan-Manning House and pursued Brockport history primarily through the Western Monroe Historical Society (WMHS) which maintains the home as its headquarters.
It was Kathy’s role as chair of the Historic Preservation Committee of the WMHS which led to her greatest accomplishment for Brockport’s history. In that capacity, the Village Board proclamation states she “provided the leadership in drafting a proposed Historic Preservation local law for the Village of Brockport that was adopted and implemented by the Village Board and has served as the basis for all historic preservation efforts in the Village since then….”
The local law was implemented in 1990 and the Village’s Historic Preservation Board was established. Kathy was one of the first members, and the proclamation states she “has remained an active member continuously in the 25 years since then…” The document further acknowledges her service as chair of that Board for the past three years.
Kathy says developing the preservation law took five years of gradually educating the Village Board and the public about the nature of the law and its impact on homeowners. It was engaging the public and officials that avoided controversy and brought about well-informed approval of the law, Kathy says.
The proclamation notes that Kathy’s participation in all the work of the board “included successful applications for numerous outside grants to support historic preservation efforts in the Village.” And, her work resulted in 100 structures in the Village receiving local landmark designations and some 125 Village structures being listed on the State and National Registers, including two historic districts.
The document also states, “She served loyally and actively as a member of the Landmarks Advisory Committee of the Town of Sweden.”
Citing Kathy’s “well-earned retirement from the Historic Preservation Board as of June 30, 2015,” the concluding resolution states: “That this Village Board does hereby commend and thank her for her long, loyal, and creative service to the historic preservation of this community and bestows upon her the honorable title of Historic Preservation Board Chair emeritus.”
Jackie Morris –
Brockport Village Historian emeritus
Jackie Morris arrived in Brockport as a 19-year old bride in 1945. Her husband purchased their home on Maxon Street, Jackie says, “And gave it to me, saying, ‘This is so you’ll always have a home.’” Raymond died three years ago. She still lives there after 70 years.
She first became interested in Brockport’s history around 1950 when the first Village Historian, Emily Knapp, asked her to contribute some volunteer time to the Village Museum on State Street. Her involvement with the museum increased over the years. In 1970 she became a member of the Museum Board governing the museum, now named the Emily L. Knapp Library and Museum of Local History. The proclamation honors her for “some 45 years of good and faithful service” to the Museum, including chairing the Museum Board since 2006 and continuing now as a Museum volunteer.
In 2001, she became the official Village Historian and “has served well and faithfully” for 14 years in that role, and as a member of Brockport’s Historic Preservation Board since 2010, and of Brockport’s Tree Board since 2005, still continuing those board memberships.
The proclamation also states that “for several years, she provided the leadership with very little support to tend the museum and ensure its survival.” Jackie said the work on the museum was her greatest challenge. “The museum was a complete mess,” she said, and referred to her work with several people to “sort things out.” Asked about her greatest reward, she said, “I guess it was making the museum visible. For so long people forgot it was there.”
Asked why she was retiring now as Village Historian and Museum Board member, Jackie said, “I have done it for a lot of years. I’m tired. Some people have improved things at the museum, like putting things on file. They have a lot more expertise than I do. They see and do things in different ways. I think that’s good. It’s time for a change.”
At the age of 90, her retirement comes after decades of preserving Brockport’s history. Citing her retirement as Village Historian and Museum Board member, and her continuing service in other capacities, the proclamation states the Village Board “does hereby commend and thank Jackie for such an outstanding record of long, faithful, and creative service to this community” (and) “bestows on her the honorable title of Village Historian emeritus.”
