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NIAGARA FALLS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HERITAGE COMMISSION INC
NIAGARA FALLS, NY · EIN 272220709 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S99 · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org
revenue
$407K
expenses
$773K
net assets
$2.1M
employees
13
program ratio
98%
mission · from form 990

IT IS THE MISSION OF THE NIAGARA FALLS UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HERITAGE AREA COMMISSION (THE ORGANIZATIN) TO EDUCATE AND INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE RICH LOCAL HERITAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, AND TO CONSERVE AND ENHANCE THE HISTORIC, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND ARCHITECTUAL RESOURCES OF NIAGARA FALLS. THE ORGANIZATION WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS BY WORKING WITH NATIONAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES, INSTITUTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND WITH THE LOCAL NIAGARA FALLS RESIDENTS, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PLAN. TO COMPLETE A MANAGEMENT PLAN TO ENSURE THE LONG TERM PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SUCH A HERITAGE CENTER, AND PROVIDE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF UNDERTAKING RECOMMENDATIOSN OF THE COMPLETED MANAGEMENT PLAN.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center educates the public about the local history of the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement in Niagara Falls, NY. It operates a museum with exhibits, tours, and educational programs that highlight freedom seekers' stories and connect them to modern social justice issues. The center is a project of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission and collaborates with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and the National Park Service.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Archives and Research Access
Collection of historical documents, oral histories, and artifacts related to the Underground Railroad and Black activism in Niagara Falls; available by appointment to researchers.
Educational Resources and Group Tours
Curriculum materials, lesson plans, and group visit coordination for schools and organizations to teach about Underground Railroad history and its modern implications.
Freedom Conversation Tours
Guided tours offered twice daily that explore the history of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls and connect it to contemporary social justice issues.
Museum Ambassador Program
Youth-focused initiative that trains local young people to serve as visitor guides and community educators, fostering leadership and historical engagement.
One More River to Cross
Permanent exhibition featuring stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls, emphasizing local sites and personal narratives.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Local History Preservation and Education 4 activities
    • Educate the public about the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement in Niagara Falls
      Engages in public education initiatives focused on the history of the Underground Railroad and abolitionism in Niagara Falls, including through exhibitions, tours, events, and educational resources.
    • Host year-round events honoring freedom seekers and abolitionists
      Organizes and hosts events throughout the year to recognize and honor the stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and others who advanced the cause of freedom, reinforcing community engagement with local history.
    • Maintain and provide access to archival collections
      Preserves and makes available a collection of records, surveys, photographs, artworks, memoirs, and property records related to the Underground Railroad, abolitionism, Black activism, and Niagara Falls history, supporting research and public education.
    • Present the permanent exhibition "One More River to Cross"
      This permanent exhibition centers the narratives of self-emancipation by freedom seekers, highlights the role of local geography and African American residents in the Underground Railroad, and draws connections between historical struggles and contemporary social justice issues to encourage visitor reflection and civic engagement.
  • Guided Historic Site Tours 2 activities
    • Offer Freedom Conversation Tours
      Provides daily guided tours—twice daily Tuesday through Sunday during summer months—that engage visitors in dialogue about their personal experiences to foster deeper connections with the stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls.
    • Provide virtual group tours on Underground Railroad history
      Offers virtual tours for groups of 10 or more, led by Visitor Experience Staff, that explore the history of slavery and the pursuit of freedom, making educational programming accessible beyond in-person visitors.
  • Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
    • Develop and implement a heritage center management plan
      Creates and executes a management plan to ensure the long-term preservation, maintenance, and sustainability of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and its programs.
  • History Education Curriculum Development 1 activity
    • Distribute educational resources on freedom seekers
      Provides videos, lesson plans, and discussion materials about freedom seekers and the Underground Railroad for use by educators, students, and the public to extend the reach of its educational mission.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Operate the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
      Opened in May 2018 in the historic 1863 U.S. Customs House, the Heritage Center serves as a public-facing museum and educational facility dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Sell merchandise related to Black history and the Underground Railroad
      Offers for sale merchandise that supports public education about Black history and the Underground Railroad, with proceeds likely supporting the organization’s mission.
  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Support the development of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in New York State
      Participates in the Interim Planning Committee, Steering Committee, and Descendant’s Council to contribute expertise and community representation to the development of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in New York State.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$407K
Contributions & grants$32K8%
Program service revenue$346K85%
Investment income$28K7%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$773K
Program expenses98%
Admin / overhead2%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$336K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.26M
Cash$726K
Investments$0
Liabilities$180K
Net assets$2.08M
Liquid reserves11.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 6
  • CHARLES WALKER — VICE CHAIRMA
  • MARK ONESI — DIRECTOR
  • PERCY ABRAMS PHD — DIRECTOR
  • TOM DESANTIS — SECRETARY
  • TRICIA MEZHIR — DIRECTOR
  • WILLIAM BRADBURY — CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Arts Services Inc. Partner — Collaborates with Arts Services Inc. through the Arts Access program to provide free admission tickets to underserved communities.
  • Castellani Art Museum Partner — Collaborated on the Public Art Initiative “Stations” Project.
  • Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program Network — Participates in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, allowing members of other participating institutions access to the Heritage Center.
  • Museums for All Partner — Partners with Museums for All to offer reduced admission for SNAP/EBT cardholders.
  • NYSCA Funder — Funds Freedom Conversation tours through a grant.
  • National Park Service Government — Partner agency in the development and implementation of heritage preservation initiatives related to the Underground Railroad.
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Approved the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area Management Plan in 2012, establishing the legal and planning foundation for the Heritage Area.
  • Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Partner — Collaborates with the Heritage Center as a cooperating program of the National Park Service to implement heritage interpretation and preservation initiatives.
  • Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Partner — Operates a retail store supporting the Heritage Center's mission.
  • Niagara-Frontier Trainset Authority Government — Provides public transportation access via the Niagara-Frontier Trainset Authority at the corner of Main and Depot Avenue West.
  • Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State (URCNYS) Partner — Collaborates on the development of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway as part of the planning, steering, and descendant councils.
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-Partnered Mission Advancement
    methodology: community-partnership_and_local_engagement
    By collaborating with local, state, and national agencies and engaging Niagara Falls residents, the organization advances its mission more effectively, because inclusive partnerships amplify reach, legitimacy, and community ownership of heritage and equity initiatives.
  • Dialogue-Based Historical Engagement
    methodology: dialogue-based education
    By using facilitated, conversational engagement during tours, the organization helps visitors form personal connections with historical narratives, because linking lived experiences to the past through dialogue deepens emotional resonance and promotes critical reflection.
  • Historical Storytelling for Social Action
    methodology: historical-storytelling-for-social-action
    By revealing authentic stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists, the organization inspires visitors to recognize modern injustices and take action toward equity, because narrative connection fosters empathy and moral reflection that catalyze civic engagement.