named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Exhibits and Educational Programs
Creates exhibits and public programs on Delaware County’s history, traditions, and cultural heritage.
Headwaters of History Newsletter
Quarterly publication featuring historical essays, updates on DCHA activities, and community events.
Historical Book Publishing
Produces and sells books on local history, genealogy, folk arts, and the Catskills, often drawn from DCHA archives.
Library and Archives Access
Provides free access to historical documents, photographs, and research materials for members and the public.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Curating and hosting historical exhibitsProduces and hosts permanent and temporary exhibits on Delaware County history, including themed displays such as immigration in New York State, revolutionary movements ("Resist, Revolt, Reform"), Civil War photography, historic maps, and personal collections like those of Norma Collins and Bob Wyer. Exhibits are presented in gallery spaces and historic buildings on-site.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Delivering educational programs for students and the publicOffers hands-on educational programs including the annual "History Happening!" program for fourth-grade students from county schools, public workshops in historical crafts (e.g., basket weaving), genealogy research, and living history events such as Civil War reenactments, lantern tours, and guided driving tours of Revolutionary War-era sites.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Operating a research library and archives with public accessManages a research library, archives, and genealogical center with year-round public access by appointment. Offers free in-person access to members and Delaware County residents, charges a $5 fee for non-residents, and provides remote research services by mail or email for $15 per hour. Maintains extensive collections including 100,000 negatives from photographer Bob Wyer and over 500 digitized glass-plate negatives from the Arthur Austin Collection.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Preservation and operation of historic buildings and sitesOwns, maintains, and operates a historic campus in Delhi, NY, featuring the 1797 Gideon Frisbee House, Frisbee Barn, Frisbee Family Cemetery, and multiple relocated 19th-century structures including the Amos Wood Gunshop, Husted Hollow One-Room Schoolhouse, Woodin Blacksmith Shop, Tollgate House, and a corn crib. The site also includes exhibit galleries, a research library, archives, and the Merle Houck Nature Trail.
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Local History Publishing 1 activity
- Producing and distributing historical publications and mediaProduces and distributes a quarterly newsletter titled *Headwaters of History*, which includes genealogical research content and classified advertisements. Publishes and sells historical books such as *A History of Delaware County, 1797–2007*, and creates short films and written stories on local history topics including industry, railroads, covered bridges, and one-room schoolhouses.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Providing membership benefits and engagement opportunitiesOffers membership benefits including a 10% discount on publications, free access to the library and archives, invitations to exhibit previews and special events, and a complimentary subscription to the quarterly newsletter *Headwaters of History*. Members may also purchase a copy of *A History of Delaware County, 1797–2007* for an additional $20.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.11M
Contributions & grants$319K29%
Program service revenue$27K2%
Investment income$746K67%
Other revenue$21K
expenses
Total expenses$261K
Program expenses57%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$129K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.74M
Cash$204K
Investments$2.06M
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$2.73M
Liquid reserves104.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +195.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WOOD | Director | 2 | $51K |
board members · 6
- ELINOR OLES — Director
- GABRIELLE PIERCE — Vice President
- JAY GOLDMAN — Director
- KAY PARISI-HAMPEL — Treasurer
- SHEILA AYRES — President
- VIRGINIA SANFORD — Director
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- 144th New York State Volunteers Partner — Participated in the Delhi Civil War Event by reenacting Civil War battles and providing living history demonstrations.
- Catskill On-Line Partner — Donated web hosting space for DCHA's website
- Catskill Watershed Corporation Funder — Supporting organization for DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- Community Foundation for South Central New York Funder — Supporting foundation for DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- Delhi Kiwanis Club Partner — Created the Merle Houck Nature Trail in collaboration with DCHA.
- Dr. Bill Birns Partner — Author and Catskills historian who presented and signed his book "Peter Pan in the Catskills & Other Historical Essays" at DCHA.
- Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program Network — Participates in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, enabling DCHA members to receive free admission and discounts at over 40 museums across New York State.
- Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program (ESMRP) Network — DCHA participates in this reciprocal program, offering members free admission to over 40 museums across New York State.
- Facebook Partner — DCHA maintains an official presence on Facebook to engage the public
- Fenimore Art Museum Partner — Donated the Arthur Austin Collection of over 500 glass-plate negatives to DCHA in 2017.
- Fourth grade students from schools around the county Partner — Participating students in the annual History Happening! educational program
- Harpersfield Historical Society, Harpersfield, NY Partner — Shares historical resources, including editions of the Stamford Mirror and Recorder, through collaborative archival access.
- Martha Bremer Partner — Master basket weaver who taught historical basket weaving workshops at DCHA.
- PayPal Network — Platform used to process online donations for DCHA
- PayPal Partner — Accepts donations through PayPal for the capital building project.
- Purple Mountain Press Partner — Partner publisher that returns 40% of sales revenue from A History of Delaware County, 1797–2007 to DCHA.
- SUNY Oneonta Funder — Provided a grant that helped make the exhibit 'Delaware County's Community Heroes in Portraiture' possible in 2015.
- Sidney Memorial Library, Sidney, NY Partner — Partners by offering access to digitized archives of local publications spanning 1880–2010.
- South Central Regional Library Council Partner — Provided a temporary exhibit on immigration in New York State for display at DCHA.
- The A. Lindsay and Olive B. O'Connor Foundation, Inc. Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- The Bert Santora Family Trust Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- The George & Margaret Mee Foundation Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- The Livestock Foundation Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- The Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, Inc. Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- The Tianaderrah Foundation Funder — Philanthropic organization supporting DCHA's exhibits, programs, and activities.
- William B. Ogden Free Library, Walton, NY Partner — Collaborates by providing access to digitized publications from the Walton, NY area as part of shared historical resources.
- Yahoo! Maps Partner — Provides online mapping integration for visitors seeking directions to DCHA.
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-Led Historical Stewardshipmethodology: community-curated exhibitionsBy involving the public in curating exhibits and preserving archival materials, the organization strengthens local ownership of history, because community-curated content increases relevance, trust, and sustained engagement.
- Equitable Access Through Differential Pricingmethodology: community-subsidized accessBy waiving fees for local residents and members while charging non-residents, the organization increases community participation, because removing financial barriers for locals enhances inclusivity and long-term public stewardship of heritage.
- Experiential Historical Learningmethodology: living_history_educationBy using hands-on workshops, historical reenactment, and immersive activities, the organization teaches historical life and skills, because direct participation fosters deeper understanding and retention in students and visitors.
- Integrated Cultural Heritage Engagementmethodology: cultural-heritage-integrationBy combining physical restoration, archival curation, and public programming, the organization makes local history tangible and accessible, because multi-modal engagement strengthens public connection to cultural heritage.
- Storytelling and Digital Accessibilitymethodology: storytellingBy using narrative storytelling, short films, and virtual tours, the organization makes local history engaging and widely accessible, because compelling narratives and digital formats increase emotional resonance and reach beyond physical site limitations.