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CHEMUNG COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
ELMIRA, NY · EIN 160866061 · Form 990 · FY2025 · Small ($100K-$1M) · chemungvalleymuseum.org
revenue
$811K
expenses
$576K
net assets
$6.4M
employees
10
volunteers
50
program ratio
42%
mission · from form 990

THE CHEMUNG COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SEEKS TO DEEPEN OUR AUDIENCE'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE PAST AND THE ROLE OF HISTROY IN OUR FUTURE. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE SOCIETY USES DIVERSE AND EVOLVING COLLECTIONS TO ENGAGE AUDIENCES THROUGH INTERACTIVE AND DYNAMIC EXHIBITS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH SERVICES. WE BELIEVE THESE EFFORTS WILL PROVIDE A BETTER APPRECIATION OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PLACE IN STATE AND NATIONAL HISTORY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Historical society based in Elmira, NY, dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the Chemung Valley region. Offers interactive museum exhibits, educational programs for all ages, and research services through its Booth Library. Engages the public with walking tours, lectures, and community events focused on local, state, and national history.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $95K
    MUSEUM EXHIBITS.
  2. #2 $60K
    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, TOURS OF THE MUSEUM AND CLASSES.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Booth Library Research Services
On-site and distance research services using archival collections including manuscripts, photographs, maps, and books focused on the Chemung Valley region
Ghost Walk
Annual October event at Woodlawn Cemetery featuring historically accurate portrayals of local residents by actors from Elmira Little Theatre, with stories researched and written by CCHS staff
Guided Museum Tours and Educational Programs
Interactive tours and classroom programs for students of all ages covering topics like Haudenosaunee culture, the Underground Railroad, Victorian Elmira, and Mark Twain
History-To-Go Loan Cases
Traveling educational kits containing hands-on artifacts and activities about local history, available for free loan to teachers, homeschool groups, and youth organizations
Out to Lunch Lecture Series
Public lecture series connecting current exhibits to local history topics, such as Civil War homefront activities and community contributions
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Local History Archival Access 2 activities
    • Preserve and manage archival and museum collections
      Accepts donations of historical papers, objects, and materials for archival and museum collections. Maintains cemetery headstone records for over 20 Chemung County cemeteries and burial indexes for Woodlawn and select church cemeteries. Provides access to collections through the Manuscript Index and STARCat, and shares selected materials digitally via New York Heritage.
    • Provide access to historical and genealogical research collections
      Operates the Booth Library and a research room open Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering public access to approximately 3,000 books, 30,000 manuscripts, 16,000 photographs, and 11,000 maps and architectural drawings. Provides free on-site access for members and students, and offers distance research assistance via phone, email, or mail.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Deliver educational programs and outreach on regional history
      Provides guided tours, hands-on activities for group visits, historical walking tours of downtown Elmira, and outreach programs to schools, homeschool groups, and youth organizations. Offers History-To-Go Loan Cases with hands-on artifacts for classroom use and hosts lectures, workshops, and staff development sessions for adults.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Host public history events and annual programs
      Organizes and hosts public events including book talks, author signings, and the annual Ghost Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery each October, which features historically accurate stories performed by local actors and guided by community volunteers. Also hosts an annual member meeting and other special events.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Operate museum exhibitions and public programs on local history
      Operates the Chemung Valley History Museum at 415 East Water Street in Elmira, NY, featuring permanent and rotating exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programming for visitors of all ages. The museum offers year-round access Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with four rotating gallery spaces updated regularly to provide new visitor experiences.
  • Museum and Historical Gift Shops 1 activity
    • Operate museum gift shop and generate earned revenue
      Operates a museum gift shop available during gallery hours and online, offering local history publications, historical DVDs, back issues of the Chemung Historical Journal, and museum souvenirs. The shop supports operations through sales and offers discounts to members.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Publish historical journals and newsletters for members
      Produces and distributes the quarterly Chemung Historical Journal and the Bank Notes newsletter to members. Publications are also available for purchase through the museum gift shop and online.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$811K
Contributions & grants$366K45%
Program service revenue$17K2%
Investment income$339K42%
Other revenue$88K
expenses
Total expenses$576K
Program expenses42%
Admin / overhead58%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$298K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.42M
Cash$20K
Investments$6.00M
Liabilities$17K
Net assets$6.40M
Liquid reserves125.4 mo
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -8.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 22
  • ALEXIS ROLSTON — TRUSTEE
  • ANITA LEWIS — TRUSTEE
  • DEBRA TODD — TRUSTEE
  • DONALD BLIDE — TRUSTEE
  • DONALD QUICK — TRUSTEE
  • EIRON SMITH — TRUSTEE
  • JANE JORALEMON — TRUSTEE
  • JD ILES — TRUSTEE
  • JENNIFER HERRICK MCGONIGAL — TRUSTEE
  • JOAN O'DELL — TRUSTEE
  • JOHN LIQUORI — TRUSTEE
  • JULIA HEYWARD — 2ND VP
  • KELSEY JONES — TRUSTEE
  • MARILYN CRISTOFARO — TRUSTEE
  • MARK CLAYPOOL — TRUSTEE
  • MATTHEW GREEN — TREASURER
  • MICHAEL HERRICK — PRESIDENT
  • MIMI PETRILLOSE — TRUSTEE
  • ROY CUMMINGS — VICE PRESIDE
  • SARA CICCOTTI — SECRETARY
  • SHELBY FAY — TRUSTEE
  • WILLIAM MCCARTHY — TRUSTEE
relationships · 16

Who they work with

  • American Alliance of Museums Government — Accredits the Chemung County Historical Society.
  • Chemung County Legislature Government — Appoints a representative to serve on the Board of Trustees.
  • Elmira Little Theatre Partner — Supplies actors who portray historical figures during the annual Ghost Walk.
  • Facebook Partner — Shares recordings of museum programs and local history content on its platform
  • Friends of Woodlawn Partner — Provides guided tours during the annual Ghost Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery.
  • Hesselson's Partner — Sponsor of the Mammoth Tusk exhibit or gallery
  • IBEW #139 Partner — Sponsor of the New to the Vault exhibit or gallery
  • Jewish Center and Federation Partner — Sponsor of the book talk event featuring author Robert J. Steele.
  • Mapes Auctioneers and Appraisers of Vestal Partner — Referred for professional appraisal services.
  • New York Heritage Partner — Hosts digital collections of the Chemung County Historical Society, including oral history recordings.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides funding to the Chemung County Historical Society.
  • North American Reciprocal Museum Association Network — Member organization providing reciprocal museum admission and discounts to qualifying members.
  • Pro Action Employment Program Partner — Provides support staff to assist the museum's operations.
  • Steele Memorial Library Partner — Collaborates on access to indexed birth, death, and marriage records.
  • Susan Zehnder Partner — Contact person for arranging group tours at the museum.
  • YouTube Partner — Hosts recordings of museum programs and local history content on its platform
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.

  • Community-Integrated Collection Development
    methodology: community_sourced_history
    By sourcing collections from community donations and integrating local history with broader historical narratives, we enhance public understanding because shared ownership and contextual framing strengthen relevance and connection to lived experience.
  • Equitable Access Through Tiered Pricing and Remote Support
    methodology: equitable_access_model
    By offering tiered admission pricing and remote research access, we increase public participation in historical education because reducing financial and geographic barriers enables broader and more inclusive engagement.
  • Interpretive and Immersive Engagement
    methodology: immersive_education
    By using interpretive exhibitions, rotating displays, and immersive theatrical performances at historic sites, we deepen public understanding of local history because dynamic and emotionally resonant experiences increase engagement and retention of historical knowledge.