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YAPHANK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
YAPHANK, NY · EIN 237396005 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A82 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · yaphankhistorical.org
revenue
$39K
expenses
$43K
net assets
$363K
employees
0
volunteers
16
program ratio
97%
mission · from form 990

TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF, AND PROMOTE INTEREST IN, ALL SUBJECTS DEALING WITH AMERICAN HISTORY, RELATIVE TO AND ENCOMPASSING YAPHANK AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS, AS IT IS KNOWN TODAY. TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND TO DISSEMINATE KNOWLEDGE; TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, MAPS, PAINTINGS, BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, RELICS AND ANTIQUITIES OF EVERY KIND. TO DISCOVER, PROCURE AND PRESERVE MATERIAL OF ALL KINDS WHICH ILLUSTRATES AMERICAN HISTORY AND TO ENGAGE IN KINDRED PURPOSES OF A LAWFUL NATURE. TO ENCOURAGE AND AID IN THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND LANDMARKS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Historical society founded in 1974 dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Yaphank, New York, and surrounding areas. Operates historic buildings as museums and educational sites, hosts public events including tours, demonstrations, and lectures. Maintains archives, a research library, and collaborates with Suffolk County Parks on preservation efforts.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

18th Century Military Encampment
Annual Revolutionary War reenactment hosted at Swezey-Avey House by the 3rd NY Regiment 1775 Long Island Companies, depicting soldier and family life during the American Revolution
Antique Spinning Wheel Demonstration
Live demonstration of traditional wool and flax spinning using antique equipment at the Homan-Gerard House, showcasing pre-industrial textile production methods
General Meetings and Lectures
Monthly public meetings featuring guest speakers on regional history topics, such as the role of Sag Harbor during the American Revolution
Historic Property Preservation
Restoration and maintenance of multiple National Register-listed buildings including the Hawkins House, Homan-Gerard House, and St. Andrew’s Church
Summer House Tours
Weekly public tours of historic houses including the Mary Louise Booth House, Homan-Gerard House, and Swezey-Avey House every Sunday from 1PM to 4PM
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Historic Site Public Programming 3 activities
    • Historical demonstrations and living history reenactments
      Conducts hands-on historical demonstrations including the use of antique spinning wheels to transform raw wool and flax into yarn, and hosts 18th-century military encampment reenactments featuring troop quarters, drills, field maneuvers, and musket and cannon demonstrations to recreate daily life during the American Revolution.
    • Production and distribution of educational materials
      Produces and distributes printed educational resources including a walking tour pamphlet for the Yaphank Historic District, a brochure on the Hawkins Family Cemetery, and a trail map for the Carmans River Nature Trail & Sanctuary to support public engagement and historical interpretation.
    • Public programming and educational events
      Hosts a full annual schedule of public programs including guided house tours every Sunday, general meetings with guest speakers on local history topics, Victorian Teas, community yard sales, and the Historic District Christmas Tour. Events include historical presentations, such as on Sag Harbor’s role in the American Revolution, and cultural performances like free concerts in the park.
  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocacy for historic district recognition
      Works to secure state and national recognition for the Yaphank Historic District to strengthen preservation efforts and increase public awareness of the area’s historical significance.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
    • Education in colonial-era textile production
      Provides hands-on education in colonial textile methods including fiber preparation, spinning with drop spindles, weaving, and use of natural dyes. Offers children’s activities and demonstrations using antique spinning wheels to illustrate traditional yarn-making techniques.
  • Local History Archival Access 1 activity
    • Management and public access to historical archives and library collections
      Collects, preserves, and provides public access to extensive historical materials including letters, manuscripts, maps, paintings, books, newspapers, and artifacts focused on Yaphank and surrounding areas. Offers a searchable library collection with an online finding aid and houses these resources in the Swezey-Avey House headquarters.
  • Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
    • Operation of permanent and rotating historical exhibits
      Curates and maintains permanent exhibits on the Swezey family, the Weeks family (including original portraits by William Sydney Mount), and the Kovarik Reading Room at the Swezey-Avey House. These exhibits feature photographs, memorabilia, and artwork to interpret local history.
  • Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
    • Preservation and interpretation of historic cemeteries and nature trails
      Provides stewardship for several small historic burying grounds, including the 2022 restoration of the Hawkins Family Cemetery with repairs to burial markers, new fencing, grounds cleaning, and signage honoring Revolutionary War patriots Samuel Conklin and Joseph Homan. Also manages the Carmans River Nature Trail & Sanctuary, producing and distributing trail maps and brochures.
  • Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
    • Preservation and stewardship of historic properties
      Maintains and manages four historic houses, three of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including ongoing restoration and co-restoration projects such as the Mary Louise Booth House with county partners. Also maintains themed gardens and constructed site improvements like the Swezey Park Gazebo using volunteer labor.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$39K
Contributions & grants$33K85%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$43K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$1K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$371K
Cash$16K
Investments$0
Liabilities$8K
Net assets$363K
Liquid reserves4.6 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -23.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

board members · 15
  • DALE CLANCY — 2-YR TRUSTEE
  • GARY SCHERPICH — 3-YR TRUSTEE
  • HELEN KALBACH — CURATOR
  • JIM VAVRINA — VICE PRESIDE
  • JUDITH BIRD — RECORDING SE
  • KAREN MOUZAKES — HISTORIAN EM
  • KATHLEEN SCHMIDT — LIFETIME BOA
  • KITTY DANIELS — LIBRARIAN
  • LYNNE SCOFIELD — 1-YR TRUSTEE
  • MARIE DESCH — CORR. SECRET
  • MARY LAURA LAMONT — ARCHIVIST
  • MICHAEL CAIN — 1-YR TRUSTEE
  • NANCY BEST — 1-YR TRUSTEE
  • ROBERT KESSLER — PRESIDENT
  • TRISH FOLEY — BOOTH HOUSE
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • 3rd NY Regiment 1775 Long Island Companies Partner — Partnered to present an authentic 18th-century military encampment during the event.
  • Burying Ground Preservation Group Partner — Contracted by the Yaphank Historical Society to restore the Hawkins Family Cemetery in 2022.
  • Coalition To Save The Yaphank Lakes Partner — Collaborates on environmental preservation efforts related to the Yaphank Lakes and Carmans River.
  • Longwood Schools Partner — Maintains a working relationship with Longwood Schools for educational and historical programming.
  • Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Funder — Provided a grant in 2022 to support the restoration of the Hawkins Family Cemetery.
  • Stirring Up History Partner — Collaborated with Stirring Up History for a guest lecture on women in colonial times.
  • Suffolk County Parks Government — Partner organization whose logo is displayed on the website, indicating affiliation or collaboration.
  • Suffolk County Parks Government — Partnered with the Yaphank Historical Society on the interpretation and restoration of the Robert and Isabella Hawkins House.
  • Suffolk County Police Historical Society Partner — Restored the Yaphank Garage and contributed mannequins and display boards to interpret its history.
  • Swezey-Avey House Partner — Hosts permanent exhibits of the Weeks Family and Kovarik Reading Room.
  • Toni Kaste Partner — Master spinner who conducts antique spinning wheel demonstrations for the organization.
  • Zach Studenroth Partner — Guest speaker and author presenting on Sag Harbor's role in the American Revolution
strategies · 2

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Centered Preservation and Interpretation
    methodology: local-history-preservation
    By combining curated exhibits, guided tours, public lectures, and volunteer-led interpretation with collaborative restoration projects and advocacy for formal historic designation, we strengthen local identity and ensure long-term preservation because community ownership and institutional recognition reinforce each other in sustaining cultural heritage.
  • Experiential Historical Education
    methodology: experiential-history-education
    By using historical reenactment, hands-on demonstrations of traditional crafts, and immersive activities like heritage-based summer camps, we educate the public about early American and pre-industrial domestic life because experiential engagement fosters deeper understanding and retention of historical context.