A fire broke out at Brockport’s Morgan-Manning House on the evening of January 14. Firefighters from across the area responded to the scene as the fire and brutally cold weather conditions necessitated a four-alarm call.
Morgan-Manning House board member Mary Lynne Turner was the first to arrive ahead of a scheduled 7 p.m. board meeting. She smelled smoke upon entering and called 911. Board President Paul Kimball encountered heavy smoke in the basement and was forced to retreat.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours as it spread from the basement through to the roof. At one point, there were fears that the structure would fall as the wind and snow appeared to hamper firefighting efforts. The south side of the historic building sustained the most extensive damage, with the second floor and roof collapsing. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This isn’t the first time the historic home has been damaged by fire.
The house was built in 1854 by John Ostrom. Dayton Samuel Morgan, the owner of a company that manufactured mechanized reapers, purchased the home in 1867. It remained the Morgan family homestead for nearly a century, until a fire in September 1964 that resulted in the death of Sara Morgan Manning, the daughter of Dayton and his wife, Susan. At the time of her death from smoke inhalation, the 96-year-old Sara was believed to be Brockport’s oldest resident.
It was Sara’s wish that her home “would stand forever as a monument to the fine old traditions that are so important to our heritage.” The Western Monroe Historical Society was formed in 1965 to fulfill Sara’s wish and began restoration work on the fire-damaged home. Volunteers have spent countless hours over the past sixty years restoring the grand Victorian home to its original splendor.
In that time, the Morgan-Manning House has become a treasured hub of the Brockport community. In 1991, the property was placed on the National Historic Register. Rochester’s Landmark Society, which was instrumental in helping the Historical Society gain the title to the house, honored the Society in 1994 with a “Tender Loving Care Award” in recognition of their care and maintenance of the property.
As news of the fire spread Tuesday night, neighbors came out to watch the unfolding events and many, both near and far, took to social media for updates and to share their memories – elementary school field trips, prom photos, weddings, and annual events like the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, Peddlers Market, and Candlelight Christmas.
SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson called the Morgan-Manning House “a true place of joy that brings people together.”
Seeing the structure ablaze caused a wave of grief and sadness in the community because of all the joy the house has brought over the years. It left many searching for a way to help. Nativity Church opened its doors as a warming station for first responders who were able to refuel thanks to generous food donations brought in by local eateries.
“The Morgan Manning House is a landmark filled with history for this little town I love so much,” said Tanya Elizabeth Gang. “It was in fourth grade where my love for local history and genealogy began. It was touring this home and hearing about the family and being able to fill my brain with random facts that would help if we ever had Brockport Jeopardy.” Filled with grief over the loss, she came out Wednesday morning to see the damage for herself. “As I was taking photos this morning and walking around, I was given hope that we will recover and maybe rebuild.”
While the physical damage to the home is significant, the hope is that the Morgan-Manning House will once again be able to rise from the ashes. Macpherson pledged, “SUNY Brockport will do whatever we can to assist the Western Monroe Historical Society as it charts its path forward.”
The Morgan-Manning House posted the following message to Facebook on Thursday morning: “Thank you to the Brockport community for the love and support you’ve shown following our devastating fire. It is too early to say exactly what happened or what path we will be taking. Once we have made decisions on how to go forward, we will share information on our goals and how everyone can contribute. Dealing with this unique historic site and the priceless artifacts inside requires patience and thought. Please keep us in your thoughts as we work our way through this process. We will let you know when our fundraising and other activities are launched. The Morgan-Manning House will shine again with your help!”
Learn more about the Morgan-Manning House and its history at http://morganmanninghouse.org.
Fire persisted around the widow’s walk, but it is still standing thanks to the efforts of the firefighters. Fire photo by Chief Barker, after photo by Tanya Elizabeth Gang.
The before photo of the grand staircase was posted by the Morgan-Manning House in August. Ogden Supervisor Mike Zale shared the photo showing the damage to the area.
Gratitude in the midst of tragedy
We grieve with all of Brockport and the larger community for the fire that severely damaged our magnificent Morgan-Manning House on the night of January 14. It felt like so many personal memories of events at the House and on its grounds went up in the smoke. Yet we have much to be thankful for – beginning with the Morgan-Manning board members who spotted and reported the fire, the numerous fire companies that answered the call and stayed for hours, the pizzas, food and drinks donated by local restaurants to feed the fire crews, Brockport Police who monitored foot and vehicle traffic in the area, our Village Building Inspectors/Fire Marshals who determined that the building was still structurally sound, and the many government officials and citizens who shared their thoughts in person and in writing on the tragedy and offered to help.
Brockport is resilient, Brockport is determined; the Village stands ready to assist the Morgan-Manning in its recovery.
Margay Blackman, Mayor
Village of Brockport
