Historic Preservation Grant Supports Museum Recovery

A four-alarm fire at the historic Morgan-Manning House Museum caused the second floor to collapse and threatened a large collection of Victorian-era materials and artifacts. The home, originally built in 1854, served as a cornerstone of the Village of Brockport in Monroe County. Today, it provides a window into the region’s past.

A Community Rallies to Preserve Its History

Museum staff and professional conservators have been evaluating the collection to make decisions on which artifacts to restore, before tackling the labor-intensive process of conserving artwork damaged by fire, smoke, and water. Six months after the fire, the museum was awarded nearly $25,000 through Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Historic Preservation grant cycle to support that work.

“The fire was a devastating setback,” said Alicia Fink, member of the Morgan-Manning House Museum board. “This grant will help us save some of our most important historical artifacts and ensure they can still be used to educate the community through new mobile and online exhibits while we continue to raise funds for structural repairs of the Museum.” 

The Brockport community has shown up for their hometown historic site throughout the long process of restoration, both with financial support and sustained interest. Residents stop by the “History Tent” — the museum’s mobile display of photos and restoration updates — to learn about the ongoing work to bring the museum back online. 

Historic Preservation in Action

The Community Foundation’s funding helps communities not only preserve their historical assets, but also connect with them through education and public access. The Morgan-Manning House Museum does this through house tours, school visits, and hands-on learning opportunities. 

Prior to the fire, visits to the museum were part of the 4th-grade curriculum for Brockport schools, and internships for SUNY Brockport students provided training for future museum professionals. 

This year, the Morgan-Manning House was named on the Landmark Society’s 2026 Five to Revive, marking it as a structure with the potential to spark broader neighborhood and community renewal. 

Local Support for Historic Preservation

This grant was made possible by the James M. and Olive Edmunds Memorial Fund.

Learn more about preserving what matters to our region.