to the memory of committed volunteers An open house was held on April 8 at Brockport's Morgan-Manning House to dedicate a newly restored ceiling in the reception room of the Victorian style mansion. The dedication was in memory of Betty Nibbelink and Philip Gerber. Betty Nibbelink was a founding member of the Western Monroe Historical Society and, at the time, led restoration work in the house after a fire. Philip Gerber was a life member of the Society, served on the Board of Trustees, and was very supportive of all activities and improvements of the house. George Rich presided at the informal ceremony. Eugenia Gerber, wife of Dr. Gerber and a Society trustee, was present. Also, Ms. Nibbelink's two daughters were present: Jean Nibbelink Cioffi and her husband, Claudio, of Washington, DC; and Nancy Nibbelink Turgeon of Williamsville, NY. Henry Swiatek, and his son, Brett, commented on their work of restoring the original ceiling. After a false ceiling was removed, Henry, who has restored many church ceilings, replicated the decorative pattern of the ceiling as it was originally painted around 1880. April 16, 2006 |
