irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $54KCURATORIAL - CARE, ANALYSIS AND DISPLAY OF COLLECTIONS AND POTENTIAL COLLECTIONS. APPROXIMATELY 50,000 LOTS AND THREE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS.
- #2 $13KMUSEUM FACILITIES - CARE AND DISPLAY OF THREE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS LOCATED ON THE SECOND STREET HISTORICAL DISTRICT OF TROY, NEW YORK. 1,410 FACILITY RENTALS AND MEETINGS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
69th Annual Holiday Greens Show
Annual event transforming the Hart-Cluett House into a festive display themed around holiday movies, featuring fresh green arrangements by the Van Rensselaer Garden Club.
Offsite Displays at Albany-Rensselaer Station
Exhibits including "Riding the Rails Through Rensselaer County History" and "From Horse Rail to Mobility Hubs" displayed at the regional transit hub.
Research Library
Resource for visitors to access and study historical collections related to Rensselaer County.
The View From Here
Exhibit exploring the diverse history of Rensselaer County’s migrants and immigrants, from Mohican inhabitants to Gilded Age European immigrants.
Uncle Sam Exhibit
Permanent exhibit detailing the story of Samuel “Uncle Sam” Wilson and Troy’s designation as “The Home of Uncle Sam” by Congress in 1961.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Cemetery Records and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Conducting historical research and transcription projectsConducts original research and transcription projects, including the interment records of the city of Troy, to enhance public access to historical data and support scholarly inquiry.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Managing research library, archives, and public accessManages a local history library, archives, and research center with over 33,000 items, serving as the official repository for Rensselaer County Surrogate Court Records from 1791 to 1915. Provides appointment-based access to archival materials, supported by staff and volunteers, and offers digital and printed self-guided architecture tours of Downtown Troy.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operating historic house museum and exhibition spacesOperates the Hart-Cluett House as a historic house museum, along with the Carr Building for exhibits and programs, and the Carriage House as a permanent gallery for large collection items. Maintains three historical buildings in the Second Street Historical District of Troy, New York, providing public access and hosting exhibitions and events.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizing public events and holiday programmingCo-hosts the annual Holiday Greens Show with the Van Rensselaer Garden Club, operates a Museum Holiday Gift Shop during the event, sells seasonal floral arrangements, and hosts a post-event sale of display items. Also organizes an annual gala and offers private tours of the Greens Show.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presenting awards and recognizing community contributorsPresents the biennial Hart-Cluett Award to individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving regional history and publicly recognizes community members and organizations, such as the Mainella family of Bella Napoli Bakery, for their support.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Producing digital and public history programsProduces digital programs and educational resources, such as the online program “Drinking History, an Evening with Frank B. Smith,” to expand public engagement with local history beyond physical museum spaces.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Providing public tours and educational programmingOffers weekly guided tours of the Hart-Cluett House on Fridays and Saturdays, covering the history of the Hart and Cluett families, Gilded Age life in Troy, and the architecture of the Marble House. Also provides private group tours, themed walking tours, and offsite tours such as those focusing on Pawling Avenue or farm-to-market systems. Includes distribution of the book _The Marble House_ to ticket purchasers.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Supporting volunteer engagement and visitor servicesEngages volunteers in assisting patrons, cataloging collections in the Research Library, and supporting event setup and service during museum-hosted events. Operates a reception desk to greet visitors, provide exhibit information, direct patrons, and handle administrative tasks.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosting temporary and permanent exhibitionsCurates and hosts temporary and permanent exhibits on regional history, including "Threading Lineage," "The Way We Work(ed)," rail transportation history, migration and immigration in Rensselaer County, national celebrations, and the 100th anniversary of the Society. Permanent exhibits include displays on Samuel "Uncle Sam" Wilson, historic business signs, transportation networks, and Troy stoves and ironwork. Offsite exhibits are presented at locations such as the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station and Albany-Rensselaer station.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.87M
Contributions & grants$1.69M90%
Program service revenue$24K1%
Investment income$50K3%
Other revenue$114K
expenses
Total expenses$477K
Program expenses17%
Admin / overhead81%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$285K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.07M
Cash$1.74M
Investments$1.05M
Liabilities$235K
Net assets$2.83M
Liquid reserves70.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +517.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHY SHEEHAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $76K |
| AMANDA IRWIN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 1 | $55K |
| SAMANTHA MAHOSKI | CURATOR & ARCHIVIST | 1 | $50K |
| ANNA DOREN | EDUCATION DIRECTOR | 1 | $45K |
board members · 20
- BETH SCHROEDER — PRESIDENT
- BRENDAN KENNEDY — TRUSTEE
- BRIAN CLINE — TRUSTEE
- CINDY BARFORD — TRUSTEE
- EDWARD GORMAN — TRUSTEE
- EMILY LUDDY — TRUSTEE
- ERIC ANDERSON — TRUSTEE
- FIONA KELLY — TRUSTEE
- JAMIE CROUSE — SECRETARY
- JEREMY FALLS — TRUSTEE
- JODY BROOKS — TRUSTEE
- JULIA DONNARUMA — TRUSTEE
- JULIAN ADAMS — VICE PRESIDENT
- MARK ZIELINSKI — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL GARDNER II — TREASURER
- MICHELE VENNARD — TRUSTEE
- NANCY KELLEY — TRUSTEE
- STACEY BRIDGE — TRUSTEE
- STEPHANIE STEWART — TRUSTEE
- WILLIAM P HESSNEY — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Ally DeRusso Partner — Collaborated on the "Threading Lineage" exhibit as a curating artist.
- Bella Napoli Bakery Partner — Recognized for its support of the Rensselaer County Historical Society Inc and service to the region.
- Burden Iron Works Partner — Collaborated on regional foundation re-energizing initiatives.
- CDTA Partner — Collaborated on the unveiling of a rail transportation exhibit at the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station.
- City of Troy Government — Refers visitors to the City of Troy website for parking information.
- Hart Cluett Museum Network — RENSSELAER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC operates as the Hart Cluett Museum, indicating organizational integration.
- Media Sanctuary Partner — Partnered on a three-part series about voting and democracy in Rensselaer County.
- Rensselaer County Surrogate Court Government — Collaborates on the stewardship of court records, with HCM holding records from 1791–1915 and the Court holding records from 1915 to present.
- Smithsonian Partner — Collaborated on the exhibit 'The Way We Work(ed).'
- Troy Public Library Partner — Collaborates on public access to the museum through the Library's Museum Pass program.
- Van Rensselaer Garden Club Partner — Collaborates with the Van Rensselaer Garden Club to co-produce the annual Holiday Greens Show and related events.
- Victoria van der Laan Partner — Collaborated on the "Threading Lineage" exhibit as a curating artist.
strategies · 4
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-Driven Curatorial Partnershipsmethodology: cultural-exhibition-partnershipBy connecting contemporary artists and guest curators with historical collections, the organization revitalizes historical interpretation and expands relevance to present-day audiences because bridging past and present creative practices fosters deeper cultural continuity and public interest.
- Inclusive Community Storytelling Modelmethodology: community_inclusive_historyBy creating spaces for shared storytelling and highlighting underrepresented narratives through guest curation and thematic exhibits, the organization deepens community engagement with local history because inclusive representation fosters broader public connection and stewardship.
- Pay-What-You-Can Accessibility Modelmethodology: pay-what-you-canBy implementing a pay-what-you-can admission model, the organization increases public access to museum programming because reducing financial barriers enables broader demographic participation in local history education.
- Themed Immersive Interpretationmethodology: themed-historic-interpretationBy using annual themed installations and reinterpreted historic spaces—such as through cultural motifs or holiday movies—the organization increases visitor engagement with history because immersive, relatable narratives make the past more accessible and emotionally resonant.