BROCKPORT, N.Y. — Nearly a year after a fire tore through the historic Morgan Manning House & Museum in Brockport, the mansion is on track for a return to its former glory.
In January, the fire spread from the basement up, ravaging much of the 1850’s home. Six months ago, repairs were still in the early stages, with a massive hole leading from the ground floor all the way through the roof.
“It’s a lot like waking up from a nightmare,” said Scott Hunsinger, president of the Morgan-Manning House & Museum, when asked what it’s like to see the repairs take hold.
While there’s still a lot to be done, Hunsinger says they’ve crossed off major items from their to-do list, including a massive overhaul of the attic and roof which were heavily damaged by the blaze.
“The biggest thing that you’re going to notice is there’s not a white plastic covering on the roof,” Hunsinger said. “The overall roof design and how it came together was amazing. And just knowing that we had one fourth of the exterior of the roof gone…All the work that was done over the summer of getting it structurally sound.”
Paul Kimball, who’s leading the rebuild for the Morgan-Manning House, showed News10NBC off the the new wood that was installed on the roof as part of the reconstruction.
Tom Kowalski News10NBC: “When you look over my shoulder six months ago, there was a massive hole in the [floor], massive hole in the ceiling. What does it mean to see it repaired again?”
Paul Kimball, Rebuild Lead: “The progress has really been incredible to get this far. To know that we’re standing where there was a big hole right behind you ten months ago is just incredible.”
Kimball says he’s now seen the house go through two fires in his lifetime.
“I was 12 years old when the first fire happened. I remember it very vividly,” Kimball said, referring to the 1960’s fire at the house. “But at that time, I was delivering newspapers to Dayton Morgan’s daughter in law, Fannie Morgan, just south of here in Clarkson. And then to 60 years later, be entrusted with rebuilding the house is just only things I guess you dream of, really.”
While there’s no exact date on when the Morgan Manning House will reopen, Kimball is aiming to at least partially reopen the house by Christmas of next year.
So far, the museum has spent $1.6 million on cleanup alone. Kimball says things such as drywall, HVAC, electric, and a fire suppression system need to be installed before knowing the final cost.
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