named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
1876 Centennial Garden Party
Ticketed summer soirée at the Armour-Stiner Octagon House featuring period music, historic interpreters, Victorian-era games, and 1876-inspired food and drink to mark America’s Semiquincentennial
Capitol for a Day
Free public educational event commemorating August 31, 1776, when the Odell Tavern served as the temporary seat of New York State government during the Revolutionary War, featuring living history interpreters, dramatic readings, and hands-on demonstrations
Hometown Paper: The Irvington Gazette
Exhibit showcasing the history and impact of the Irvington Gazette, the village’s local newspaper published from 1907 to 1969
Immigrant Irvington
Exhibit documenting the wave of 19th and early 20th-century immigrants who settled in Irvington, focusing on their origins, occupations, and neighborhoods
Neither Bought Nor Conquered
Exhibit exploring the experiences of tenant farmers and enslaved people in Philipsburg Manor during the Revolutionary War, highlighting divided loyalties in the "Neutral Ground"
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocating for the preservation of Irvington’s historic district and cultural heritageActively supports the preservation of Irvington’s architectural and cultural heritage, including playing a key role in the designation of the Irvington Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Curating and presenting historical exhibits on local historyDesigns, develops, and presents public exhibits on diverse aspects of Irvington’s history, including tenant farming, enslaved and free individuals during the Revolutionary War, the Irvington Gazette newspaper, immigrant communities, and regional Revolutionary War events. Exhibits such as “Treason of the Blackest Dye,” “Neither Bought Nor Conquered,” and “Immigrant Irvington” are curated using historical records, photographs, maps, and conserved materials.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Hosting educational and immersive historical programs and eventsOrganizes and implements public educational events, lectures, tours, and immersive programs that explore local history, including Revolutionary War-era life in the “Neutral Ground.” Activities include dramatic readings, period music, craft demonstrations, spy-themed storytelling, games, and dances. Also hosts themed events such as a Victorian-era garden party at the Armour-Stiner Octagon House with period interpreters, food, and music.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operating a historical museum and exhibit space at the McVickar HouseManages the McVickar House, built in 1853, as a public-facing historical museum and headquarters, offering regular exhibit hours on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and maintaining the History Center as a repository for artifacts and documents related to Irvington's history. The site has hosted rotating exhibits since its opening in November 2005, with current programming scheduled through January 2027.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Providing public access to historical collections and research resourcesDiscovers, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides public access to historical materials related to Irvington and its residents through a maintained library, archives, and research services. The organization supports collection growth through member and contributor donations and offers access during regular office hours and by appointment.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Producing and co-presenting historical documentariesCo-produced and co-presented the documentary “John Odell and the Neutral Ground: A Brief Documentary on a Revolutionary War Hero” in collaboration with RW250, focusing on the story of a local Revolutionary War spy and his historical significance to Irvington.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$109K
Contributions & grants$88K81%
Program service revenue$10K9%
Investment income$250%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$128K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$7K
Grants paid out$16K
balance sheet
Total assets$336K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$336K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +52.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 15
- Barry Seaman — Trustee
- Bill Schwartz — Trustee
- Cathy Hansen — Trustee
- Chet Kerr — Trustee
- Earl Ferguson — Trustee
- Edna Kornberg — Trustee
- Joan Nelson — Trustee
- Kevin Weber — Trustee
- Marge Hone — Trustee
- Mary Toomy — Trustee
- Michael Cornman — Trustee
- Nader Sadre — Trustee
- Noah Cornman — Trustee
- Ruth Cowan — Trustee
- Sara Kelsey — Trustee
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Armour-Stiner Octagon House Partner — Co-hosts a ticketed historical garden party commemorating the 1876 Centennial celebration.
- Char Weigel Partner — Curator of the exhibit on tenant farmers of Philipsburg Manor
- McVickar House Partner — Hosted the exhibit "Treason of the Blackest Dye" at McVickar House.
- McVickar House Partner — Hosts the Irvington Historical Society's exhibit
- McVickar House Partner — Hosts the Irvington Historical Society’s new exhibit “Neither Bought Nor Conquered” at this historic site.
- RW250 Partner — Collaborated with the Irvington Historical Society to present a documentary on Revolutionary War history.
- RW250 Partner — Coproduced the documentary "John Odell and the Neutral Ground: A Brief Documentary on a Revolutionary War Hero."
- Scenic Hudson Partner — Collaborated on the development of Scenic Hudson Riverfront Park, opened in 2001 on the former J.C. Turner Cypress Lumber site.
- Scott Mosenthal Government — Board President of the Irvington Historical Society
- Village of Irvington Government — Partnered with the Village of Irvington to acquire the McVickar House property for use as the Society's home.
strategies · 5
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-Engaged Preservation and Educationmethodology: community-engaged-educationBy collaborating with local individuals, groups, and supporting members, the organization builds a community-based network for preserving and interpreting history, because community partnership increases ownership, participation, and sustainability of historical work.
- Exhibit-Based Historical Interpretationmethodology: exhibit-based historical interpretationBy curating historical exhibits using primary sources, artifacts, and original research, the organization educates the public about local history and contextualizes community life, because immersive and evidence-based storytelling deepens public understanding of the past.
- Inclusive Historical Narrative Developmentmethodology: inclusive_historical_narrativeBy centering primary source research and curated exhibits on marginalized populations, including the enslaved, the organization expands public understanding of the past, because inclusive narratives correct historical omissions and foster deeper community relevance.
- Living History and Immersive Public Engagementmethodology: living_history_interpretationBy using living history interpreters, dramatic readings, and family-centered events, the organization increases public engagement with local history, because immersive experiences create emotional and experiential connections that enhance historical understanding.
- Systematic Archival Preservation for Public Accessmethodology: archival_preservationBy systematically gathering and preserving historical materials, the organization advances public understanding of Irvington’s history, because organized and accessible archives enable research, education, and long-term historical continuity.