irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $6KTHE MUSEUM IS UNDERTAKING THE REFIT OF A 85 FOOT SCHOONER, ONTARIO, TO SERVE AS AN EDUCATIONAL VESSEL ON THE GREAT LAKES
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Lighthouse Tours
Boat-based tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse offered mid-June through September, including historical interpretation and stewardship education
Path Through Maritime History
Annual exhibit at the Great New York State Fair showcasing New York's maritime history in collaboration with partner organizations
Schooner Ontario Refit
Restoration and preparation of an 85-foot schooner to serve as an educational vessel on the Great Lakes
Virtual Exhibit Experience
Online access to museum exhibits including historical themes such as shipwrecks, lighthouses, and regional maritime heritage
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 5 activities
- Display shipwreck model exhibitsDisplays an exhibit of 25 3D-printed and hand-painted models of local shipwrecks created by Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber.
- Operate boat-based tours to the Oswego West Pierhead LighthouseOffers seasonal boat tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse from mid-June through September annually, with tours available on Fridays and Saturdays during summer months. These tours are conducted via vessel access available seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.
- Operate the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and gift shopOperates the museum and the Treasure Chest Gift Shop year-round with seasonal hours, providing public access to exhibits and retail offerings.
- Participate in public maritime history outreach at state eventsParticipates annually in the Great New York State Fair through the Path Through Maritime History exhibit, presenting educational content on New York State's maritime history, including past themes on shipwrecks, military history, lighthouses, and recreational boating.
- Refit and maintain historic vessels for educational useEngages in the refitting and restoration of historic vessels, including an 85-foot schooner named Ontario, to serve as educational platforms on the Great Lakes, with 2026 work including painting, engine installation, and mast fabrication.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host educational and family eventsHosts holiday-themed educational and recreational events such as a Gingerbread Craft Workshop for children.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintain and restore the Oswego West Pierhead LighthouseHas restored and maintained the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse since 2012 using an all-volunteer crew, preserving its historical and maritime significance.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Present physical and virtual exhibits on maritime historyOffers on-site and virtual exhibits covering topics such as pre-colonial history, shipwrecks, lighthouses, and regional maritime heritage. Includes a 2026 exhibit featuring watercolor works by Frank J. Kraft depicting Oswego’s historical significance from 1654 through the War of 1812.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Provide guided museum and vessel tours for school and special interest groupsOffers guided tours year-round for school groups and special interest groups, including access to museum exhibits and vessel-based experiences when available.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Maintain dockside historical vessel exhibitsMaintains LT-5 Major Elisha K. Henson as a dockside historical exhibit to honor its role in the D-Day invasion during World War II.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$447K
Contributions & grants$350K78%
Program service revenue$69K16%
Investment income$1K0%
Other revenue$26K
expenses
Total expenses$305K
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$175K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$632K
Cash$87K
Investments$0
Liabilities$32K
Net assets$600K
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +57.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERCEDES NIESS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $60K |
board members · 4
- CHARLES HUTCHESON — TRUSTEE
- DON SMITH — TRUSTEE
- EDWARD MERVINE — TRUSTEE
- WILLIAM SCHICKLING — PRESIDENT
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Central New York Boating Industries Association Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- City of Oswego Partner — Partner in the stewardship and maintenance of the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse.
- Empire Dock and Lift Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Frank J. Kraft Partner — Collaborated on an exhibit featuring his watercolor works depicting local maritime history.
- Great Lakes Research Consortium Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Great Lakes Seaway Trail Inc. Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Great New York State Fair Partner — Hosts the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit developed by the museum and partners.
- Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Lake Champlain Sea Grant Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Mystic Seaport Museum Partner — Collaborates with the Henry B. duPont Shipyard at Mystic Seaport Museum to fabricate new lower masts for the Schooner Ontario.
- New York Sea Grant Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
- Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse Partner — Offers guided tours to the lighthouse as part of its maritime heritage programming.
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Partner — Collaborates on the development of the annual Path Through Maritime History exhibit.
strategies · 3
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.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation through Stewardship and Interpretationmethodology: cultural_heritage_preservationBy collecting, interpreting, and stewarding historical resources related to the Oswego River, Oswego Canal, and Lake Ontario, the museum preserves and promotes regional maritime heritage, because active curation and public interpretation strengthen community connection to cultural history.
- Education through Engaged and Interactive Learningmethodology: education-through-engaged-learningBy offering guided tours, hands-on vessel visits, 3D-printed models, and historical artwork, the museum enhances public understanding of maritime history, because interactive and multisensory experiences increase engagement and retention among students and visitors.
- Inclusive Community Participation in Heritage Preservationmethodology: inclusive_community_participationBy engaging volunteers across age groups and skill levels, and by offering tiered membership benefits, the museum sustains its mission, because inclusive participation fosters long-term community ownership and support for cultural preservation.