A monthly look at preserving Brockport/Sweden's heritage

The Historic Preservation Committee of the Western Monroe Historical Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. The group gathers at the lovely Morgan Manning House on Brockport's Main Street. In the autumn of 2001, the committee consists of Sweden Historian Kathy Goetz, Chair Bill Andrews, Ute Duncan, Inga Songbird, Victoria Bochorski, Harriet Sisson, Deborah Talley and Sarah Cook. Members share a deep interest in the historic buildings and colorful history of the Village of Brockport and the Town of Sweden. New members are encouraged to attend the meetings.

One of the most exciting, recent developments is the newly formed Canal Revitalization Committee which includes Ute and Raymond Duncan (co-chairs), Bill Andrews, Stephen Ullman and James Whipple. The village is in the midst of a seven-phase Master Plan to revitalize and enhance the canal. Phase One is complete - the north side of the canal between Main and Park Street. Phase Two (Harvester Park) has been funded and is scheduled to be completed by Labor Day 2002. The Canal Corporation of New York assures the committee, that, by that same time, the canal trail between Adams Basin and Albion will be complete with crushed stone on the towpath. An interpretative kiosk also will be installed.

Brockport's historic stone building on the south bank of the canal continue to draw the attention of historic preservationists. The Village has received a grant under the Certified Local Government program in the amount of $15,000. These funds will be used for an Environmental and Economic Study of Brockport Boatyard. Arrangements for the study are underway. Additional funding is being sought from a variety of agencies to complete the remaining stages of the seven-phase Master Plan. New docking facilities, including a marina with electricity and water, showers and washroom are being considered by the committee. Members are planning to visit Baldwinsville, New York to meet with officials to discuss how the remarkable revitalization of their downtown area was implemented. Fairport and Tonawanda, both successful examples of communities which offer a range of facilities for canal users, will also be visited.