named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Alone Together Virtual Lecture Series
Online webinar series offering historical lectures and discussions, launched during the pandemic to maintain public engagement with local history.
Long Island History Hunt
Family-friendly summer competition where participants visit 12 historic sites across Long Island, complete challenges, and submit photos for a chance to win a prize; Oysterponds Historical Society is one of the participating locations.
Oral History Project with StoryCorps
Collaborative effort with StoryCorps and the East Marion Community Association to record and archive audio interviews of East Marion residents, preserved in the Library of Congress.
Orient’s Naturalist Exhibit
A permanent exhibit in two second-floor rooms at the Oysterponds Historical Society showcasing the life and journals of naturalist Roy Latham (1902–1978), highlighting his contributions to the region’s natural history.
Slavery and Indentured Servitude Research Working Group
Initiative formed in 2020 to study the history of slavery, indentured servitude, and farm labor camps in Orient and East Marion from the 17th to 20th centuries, including archaeological investigation of the Slaves Burial Ground.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Local History Preservation and Education 2 activities
- Conduct historical research and documentationConducts and supports historical research including archival work, oral history collection in partnership with StoryCorps, augmented reality exhibit development, and scholarly documentation of local place names, community divisions, and recovered artifacts such as the 19th-century painting of the whaling ship Bark Washington.
- Preserve and interpret local history for public educationPreserves and interprets the 10,000+ year history of Orient and East Marion, including Algonquin Nation heritage, 18th-century Revolutionary-era life, and community development, through educational programs, exhibitions, and public engagement. Maintains seven historic buildings, 8.5 acres of grounds, and a collection of over 60,000 historical items.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Host annual fundraising benefit and auctionHosts an annual Summer Benefit & Auction at Poquatuck Park featuring food, drinks, live music, and a fundraising auction to generate critical operating funds for the organization.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Host public exhibitions and cultural eventsOrganizes annual and rotating public exhibitions, lectures, community events, and family programs—including the Barbara Bloom exhibition "The Weather," vintage baseball games, family magic shows, and picnics on the lawn—to engage the community with local history and cultural programming.
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Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
- Manage and promote special collectionsMaintains and interprets the largest single collection of works by William Steeple Davis, an Orient-based artist, and promotes access through exhibitions and archival initiatives.
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Museum-Based Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Offer educational programs and school partnershipsDelivers hands-on educational programs for elementary school students through a partnership with Oysterponds Elementary School and offers virtual lectures and webinars to extend access to historical education.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate historic sites and public access programsManages public access to historic buildings including the Village House, Webb House, Red Barn, Old Point Schoolhouse, and Poquatuck Park, with regular public hours Fridays through Sundays, tours by appointment Monday through Thursday, and operation of the Donald H. Boerum Research Library by appointment.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$649K
Contributions & grants$364K56%
Program service revenue$15K2%
Investment income$261K40%
Other revenue$8K
expenses
Total expenses$625K
Program expenses67%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$293K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.32M
Cash$292K
Investments$4.89M
Liabilities$17K
Net assets$6.30M
Liquid reserves99.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -2.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALISON FIELD VENTURA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $89K |
board members · 23
- ANDREA MEISLIN — TRUSTEE
- CATHERINE CHERMAYEFF — TRUSTEE
- CHARLES DEAN — TRUSTEE
- CRAIG YOUNG — TRUSTEE
- DONNA RICHARDSON — TRUSTEE
- DYJA TOM — PRESIDENT
- EJ CAMP — TRUSTEE
- EMILY BELLOS — TRUSTEE
- GEORGE CAVAGNARO — TRUSTEE
- JENNIFER VALENTINO — TRUSTEE
- KATIE SONNENBORN — TRUSTEE
- LESLIE COHEN — TRUSTEE
- LINDSAY POLLOCK — TRUSTEE
- LYDIA IRVING — TRUSTEE
- MIMI FAHS — TRUSTEE
- NINA CAUFIELD — TRUSTEE
- PJ DESCHENES — TREASURER
- SARAH OLMSTEAD — TRUSTEE
- SUSAN HOLDEN — TRUSTEE
- SUZANNE GLUCK — TRUSTEE
- TED HARRIS — SECRETARY
- TINA SILVESTRI — VICE PRESIDENT
- WILFRED JOSEPH — TRUSTEE
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- Barbara Bloom Partner — Collaborates on the exhibition "The Weather" by creating artworks using OHS collection paintings and original Braille-text carpets.
- Beaver Tree Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- Cross Sound Ferry Partner — Referenced as a transportation route connecting visitors from New England to the historical society's location.
- DG Carpentry of Long Island Partner — Provided financial and logistical support for the Barbara Bloom exhibition "The Weather."
- East Marion Community Association Partner — Collaborates with Oysterponds Historical Society to collect oral histories from East Marion residents.
- Edwin King Partner — Gifted the Old Point Schoolhouse to OHS.
- Elizabeth W. Van Nostrand Partner — Conveyed Poquatuck Park to OHS.
- George Latham Partner — Conveyed Poquatuck Park to OHS.
- George R. Latham Partner — Founding member instrumental in acquiring OHS buildings, properties, and initial collections.
- Hampton Jitney Partner — Offers transportation service to the Orient Village stop, facilitating visitor access to the historical society.
- IGA Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- Kolb Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- Leslie Van Nostrand Partner — Conveyed Poquatuck Park to OHS.
- Long Island Museum Association Network — Collections Manager is a former president and active member, linking Oysterponds Historical Society to a regional network of museums.
- Long Island Rail Road Partner — Provides rail service to Greenport, connecting with local transit for access to the historical society.
- Mattituck Environmental Service Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- NY Mutuals Baseball Club Partner — Partner organization that participates in the annual vintage baseball game hosted by Oysterponds Historical Society.
- Oysterponds Elementary School Partner — Collaborates with OHS to deliver hands-on history programs for students.
- Peconic Landing Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- Riverhead Building Supply Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to support the development of an augmented reality exhibit.
- Smithsonian Institution Government — Professional affiliation through prior employment of current staff members at Smithsonian-affiliated roles including the Archives of American Art and National Portrait Gallery.
- Southold Historical Society Partner — Collections Manager holds concurrent roles as Archivist and Curator for Southold Historical Society, indicating an ongoing professional relationship.
- StoryCorps Partner — Hosts audio recordings from the joint oral history project in its online archive at the Library of Congress.
- Suffolk County Transit Partner — Provides bus service (S92) used by visitors to reach the historical society's campus.
- The Frick Collection Partner — Staff member has prior curatorial and lecturing experience at The Frick Collection, indicating professional collaboration and institutional connection.
- Treiber Farms Partner — Sponsor of the OHS 2026 Summer Benefit & Auction
- US Post Office Department Government — Interacted with the community of Oysterponds in 1836 regarding the establishment of a post office and the adoption of the name Orient.
- Vimeo Partner — Hosts the organization's drone video content for public access.
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.
- Cultural Preservation for Community Identitymethodology: cultural_preservation_for_community_identityBy preserving and interpreting local history, the organization fosters intergenerational understanding and strengthens community identity, because shared historical narratives create a sense of belonging and continuity.
- Digital Expansion of Historical Accessmethodology: digital_access_expansionBy leveraging digital technology and virtual platforms, the organization expands access to local history beyond geographic constraints, because online availability enables broader, more inclusive public engagement with regional heritage.
- Equitable Access Through Donor-Funded Programmingmethodology: donor-funded free programmingBy offering free public programming enabled by donor support, the organization ensures broad community accessibility to historical resources, because removing financial barriers increases participation across diverse socioeconomic groups.
- Experiential and Multisensory Engagementmethodology: multisensory_curationBy using multisensory curation, historical reenactment, and hands-on education, the organization deepens public engagement with history because immersive experiences stimulate imagination, enhance retention, and make historical narratives more accessible and emotionally resonant.
- Indigenous-Centered Historical Interpretationmethodology: indigenous-centered historyBy centering Indigenous history and place-based naming, the organization reframes regional identity and historical understanding because acknowledging original stewardship and perspectives corrects dominant narratives and fosters more inclusive and accurate interpretations.