VILLAGE OF BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Fire crews were fighting a fire at the Western Monroe Historical Society at the Morgan Manning House at 151 Main St. in the Village of Brockport.

Brockport Fire District Chief Tim Smith said the fire started at 7 p.m. in the basement and spread to the attic, causing the roof to collapse. No one was in the building at the time and there were no injuries.

Neighbor Kathy Speer said the fire was devastating to the community

“It’s the jewel of Brockport.”

Speer said this was the second fire to devastate the home.

“That was about 40 or 50 years ago and now it looks like it’s gonna have to be done again.”

Speer said the memorabilia on the second floor is gone.

According to their website, the Western Monroe Historical Society was formed to preserve and restore the Victorian-era Morgan Manning House to the benefit of the public through tours of the house, educational programs, community events, school partnerships, and scholarships. 

The website states that originally called the Morgan Homestead, the house was built in 1854 by John Ostrom. The home was badly damaged by a fire in 1964, and Sara Morgan Manning died as a result of the fire.

Members of the Western Monroe Historical Society restored the fire-damaged house in 1965.

In 1991, the 19th-century home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.