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FRIENDS OF HISTORIC ROCHESTER INC

ACCORD, NY · EIN 222914885 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · Micro (<$100K) · friendsofrochester.org
revenue
$21K
expenses
$23K
net assets
$87K
employees
mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTE APPRECIATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC HERITAGE OF THE TOWN OF ROCHESTER.

profile · synthesized from sources

Friends of Historic Rochester Inc is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical heritage of Rochester, a town in Ulster County, NY. The organization operates a museum and library in Accord, NY, housing genealogical records, historical photographs, and artifacts. It was founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1988, with a mission centered on local history preservation and community education.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

FHR Museum and Library
Operates a museum and library in Accord, NY, preserving local historical materials including photos, documents, oral histories, genealogical records, and artifacts. Open Wednesdays 1–3 PM and by appointment.
Heritage Day Events
Annual public events featuring historical presentations, exhibits, and community engagement activities held at the museum and partner locations.
The Accordian
Quarterly publication on local history, distributed to members and featuring articles on Rochester’s heritage, events, and historical research.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocating for historic preservation and community development
      Secured historic district designation for the hamlets of Alligerville and Accord on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Also advocated for and supported a community referendum to install solar arrays to bring solar power to the Town of Rochester.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Hosting annual and special heritage events
      Hosts an annual meeting for members and organizes public heritage events such as Heritage Day, which was held at the Blue Stone Press in 2017 and again in October 2021.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Operating a museum and library for local history and genealogy
      Operates a museum and library open to the public on Wednesdays from 1–3 PM, serving as a repository for local historical materials including artifacts, photographs, documents, books, oral histories, and genealogical records. The collection includes the Eleanor S. Rosakranse Genealogical Research Collection and approximately 300 vintage postcards and photographs, with ongoing efforts to expand holdings.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Producing and distributing a quarterly publication on local history
      Produces and distributes a publication titled _The Accordian_ three times per year to members, focusing on local history and heritage.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Dedicated community infrastructure for public use
      Dedicated the Harold Lipton Community Center in Accord in 2018 as a community asset to support public and organizational activities.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$21K
Contributions & grants$21K97%
Program service revenue
Investment income$5763%
Other revenue
expenses
Total expenses$23K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$87K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$87K
4 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +57.0%
relationships · 6

Who they work with

  • Blue Stone Press Partner — Hosted Heritage Day event at the Blue Stone Press in 2017.
  • Eleanor S. Rosakranse Partner — Co-honoree of the FHR museum and contributor to the genealogical collection; recognized for leadership in establishing the museum.
  • Kate Gundberg Partner — Contact person for scheduling museum appointments outside regular hours.
  • Percy W. Gazlay Partner — Co-honoree of the FHR museum, recognized for helping to establish the organization.
  • State and National Registers of Historic Places Government — Partnered with to secure historic district designation for Alligerville and Accord.
  • Town of Rochester Government — Preserves the historical and cultural heritage of the Town of Rochester, a rural community in Ulster County, NY.
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.

  • Cultural Heritage Education and Community Engagement
    methodology: cultural-heritage-education
    By integrating education with community-driven events and accessible archival resources, the organization fosters appreciation of local historic heritage, which strengthens preservation efforts because public involvement increases stewardship and long-term sustainability of cultural assets.
  • Non-Invasive Archival Collection for Community Trust
    methodology: community-based-archival-collection
    By scanning and returning original historical materials promptly, the organization preserves personal collections while expanding its archive, because this respectful, low-barrier approach encourages broader community participation in donation and loan behaviors.
  • Physical Museum as a Hub for Heritage Preservation
    methodology: physical_museum_exhibition
    By maintaining a physical museum and library space, the organization provides public access to historical and genealogical resources, which centralizes preservation efforts and promotes education because shared physical spaces enable immersive, community-based learning and engagement.