named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Art and Cultural Exhibits
Presents rotating art exhibitions, including photography displays such as "Willard Asylum Photographs" and artist receptions featuring local photographers.
Community Events
Organizes public gatherings such as the Historic Marker Dedication and cupola restoration celebration, featuring live music, wine tastings, and children’s activities.
Historic Building Tours
Offers free public tours of the Three Bears complex, including the courtroom, jail cells, and sheriff’s living quarters, especially during special events like Path Through History Weekend.
History Presentation Series
Hosts educational talks on local history topics such as firefighting in Seneca County, beekeeping in the Finger Lakes, and the history of duck decoys.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Hosting of civic events in the historic courthouseHosts the annual meeting of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors in the historic courthouse in Ovid, NY, to commemorate the original county seat and support civic engagement.
- Operation of educational and cultural programs at the Three Bears historic buildingsOperates public educational and cultural programming at the Three Bears historic buildings, including free art classes (such as mug making and mixed-media self-portraits), historical talks, featured artist events, and community art classes. These programs are offered at Papa Bear and other sites within the complex.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting of recurring public events and seasonal festivalsHosts recurring public events including a weekly Summer Concert Series on the Lawn featuring local musicians, an annual plant sale in May, participation in the Strawberry Festival in June and Ovid Winterfest in December, and a Farmers Market during the summer months.
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Regional Tourism Promotion 1 activity
- Management of public tourism and visitor engagement in the Finger Lakes RegionManages tourism and visitor engagement by operating the Mama Bear building as the South Seneca County tourist center and opening a visitor gateway site in 2021 to promote local history and attractions in the Finger Lakes Region.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Operation of online merchandise salesOffers merchandise for sale through an online store to support organizational activities.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Preservation and restoration of the Historic Seneca County Courthouse ComplexPreserves and restores the Historic Seneca County Courthouse Complex, including structural improvements such as cupola restoration and installation of an elevator to ensure accessibility. The organization raised over $1 million and contributed volunteer time to support these efforts.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Provision of public historical tours and exhibitsProvides free public tours of the jail, courtroom, and sheriff’s living quarters at the historic Seneca County Courthouse Complex and maintains a courtroom exhibit showcasing photographs and stories of judges who served Seneca County.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$88K
Contributions & grants$27K31%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue$50K
expenses
Total expenses$65K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$26K
Grants paid out$29K
balance sheet
Total assets$205K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$204K
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +18.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 6
- DIANE MCCONNELL — TRUSTEE
- DOTTIE TRAPHAGHEN — TRUSTEE
- KIT CUPP — TRUSTEE
- MAGGIE CAMPBELL — TRUSTEE
- PHYLLIS MOTILL — TRUSTEE
- SALLY TILLINGHAST — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Dutch Mill Bulbs Partner — Partnered with the Friends of the Three Bears for a Fall Bulb Sale to raise funds.
- Facebook Network — Uses Facebook to share updates and promote events.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform to share updates and engage with the community.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to promote events and engage with the community.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share updates and engage with the community.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share updates and promote events.
- Pomeroy Foundation Partner — Sponsored the New York State Historic Marker installed at the Three Bears.
- Seneca County Government — Collaborates with Seneca County on the maintenance and use of historic county buildings.
- Seneca County Government — Hosts an exhibit honoring judges who served Seneca County.
- Seneca County Government — Partners with Seneca County for funding and upkeep of the Historic Courthouse Complex.
- Seneca County Board of Supervisors Government — Hosts the annual session of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors in the Village of Ovid.
- Seneca County Board of Supervisors Partner — Partnered with the Friends of the Three Bears to complete the elevator installation at the Historic Seneca County Courthouse Complex.
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.
- Adaptive Reuse for Community Engagementmethodology: adaptive_reuse_community_centerBy restoring and repurposing historic buildings as community centers for arts and culture, we preserve architectural heritage and stimulate local economic development, because active community use fosters stewardship and sustainable funding.
- Arts-Based Community Engagementmethodology: art-based_community_engagementBy offering recurring art classes and public music events, we foster community participation and personal development, because creative expression builds social connection and sustained engagement.
- Historical Preservation Through Civic Continuitymethodology: civic-commemorationBy maintaining and hosting ongoing civic functions in historic buildings, we preserve cultural memory and institutional continuity, because active use reinforces community identity and legitimizes preservation efforts.