irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $14KNYS RECOGNIZED STEAM EDUCATION INCLUDING SITE TOURS AND FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN REVEALING THE HISTORY, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION OF THE ERA AND ENCOURAGING EXPLORATION FOR TODAY AND BEYOND. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES ARCHEOLOGY WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND FIRST HAND INTERPRETATION.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Boat Float n' Folk Festival
Annual festival featuring paddling events, live music, food trucks, guided tours, and shuttle services to launch points along the canal.
Junior Ranger Day
Free family event offering interactive activities, badge earning, historical demonstrations, and nature exploration at the museum site.
Kids Summer Program
Weekly hands-on educational program for children ages 6–13 focusing on science, history, and creativity through Erie Canal-themed activities.
Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt
Interactive activity for kids and families to explore museum exhibits and the towpath through a nature and history-themed scavenger hunt.
Spring Break Nature Camp
Day camp for children focusing on nature, survival skills, conservation, and astronomy with outdoor exploration and hands-on learning.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
- Host seasonal and community eventsOrganizes seasonal events including "Lights on the Landing," a holiday celebration with family activities and visits from Santa, and a pre-Thanksgiving drive-thru dinner event offering smoked turkey meals for purchase, with proceeds benefiting local food cupboards.
- Organize annual Boat Float n' Folk FestivalHosts an annual family-friendly festival celebrating the Old Erie Canal’s historical and cultural significance through paddling recreation, folk music, craft demonstrations, food trucks, live entertainment, and guided tours. The event includes free public admission and runs from 11 AM to 3 PM.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Deliver NYS-recognized STEAM/STEM education programs for school childrenProvides state-recognized STEAM and STEM education through guided site tours and field trips for school children, incorporating hands-on archaeology, historical interpretation, and science activities. These programs were curtailed in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Host educational and public programming for diverse audiencesOffers history and educational programs for visitors of all ages, including lectures on Erie Canal history and abolitionism, guided tours, self-guided scavenger hunts, children’s summer programs, Spring Break Nature Camp, Junior Ranger Day, and an annual art show featuring local students and artists.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate historic museum site with reconstructed 19th-century canal-era buildingsOperates a museum at 717 Lakeport Road in Chittenango, NY, featuring a historically accurate dry dock complex and recreated 1850s-era structures including a general store, blacksmith shop, boat shop, mule stable, and an 80% scale model canal boat for experiential learning. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 1 activity
- Provide recreational paddling access and support servicesFacilitates recreational use of the Old Erie Canal by operating a fully ADA-compliant boat launch, offering kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, and coordinating with multiple launch sites. Provides paid shuttle transportation and free boat check services during events to support paddler access and participation.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Support volunteer engagement in museum operationsOffers volunteer opportunities across all areas of museum operations, including participation in I Love My Park Day events to maintain and prepare the grounds for seasonal use.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$202K
Contributions & grants$180K89%
Program service revenue$15K8%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$143K
Program expenses54%
Admin / overhead46%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$53K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$689K
Cash$47K
Investments$0
Liabilities$152K
Net assets$537K
Liquid reserves4.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +29.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- ELLEN EISENHUT — TRUSTEE
- KATHRYN ALLEN — PRESIDENT
- MARIANNE CLARK — VICE PRESIDE
- ROBERT MENIKHEIM — TREASURER
- ROBERT REED — TRUSTEE
- SARAH SKOPELITIS — SECRETARY
- TED PERRY — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS O'NEILL — TRUSTEE
- WILLIAM MAXIAN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- 71WGOeuELeL Funder — Sponsor at the $250 Crew Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- ARC Oneida-Lewis Partner — Features artwork from individuals supported by ARC Oneida-Lewis in museum art shows.
- Boy Scout Troop Partner — Involves local Boy Scout Troop members as outdoor experts in youth nature camp programs.
- CNY Arts Government — Administers the Statewide Community Regrants Program funding from the New York State Council on the Arts
- Cedar Bay Launch Partner — Collaborates with Cedar Bay Launch as an official starting point for paddlers traveling to the museum.
- Chamber Funder — Sponsor at the $1,000 Anchor Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- KOESTER Funder — Sponsor at the $5,000 Museum Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- MVPT Funder — Sponsor at the $100 Dry Dock Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- Manlius Center Launch Partner — Collaborates with Manlius Center Launch as an official starting point for paddlers traveling to the museum.
- McGowans Funder — Sponsor at the $250 Crew Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- Morse Kayak Rentals Partner — Partner organization through which kayak and paddleboard rentals are offered.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding support through the Statewide Community Regrants Program
- Old Erie Canal State Historic Park Government — Museum is located along the historic park and collaborates in interpreting Erie Canal history.
- Old Erie Canal Working Group Partner — Collaborative partner in developing and launching the Boat Float n' Folk Festival
- Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department Partner — Collaborates with retired law enforcement personnel to present historical lectures on Erie Canal policing.
- Onondaga Historical Association Partner — Hosts presentations by curators from the Onondaga Historical Association on regional history topics.
- Poolsbrook Launch Partner — Collaborates with Poolsbrook Launch as an official starting point for paddlers traveling to the museum.
- Smoked Incorporated Partner — Co-hosts a pre-Thanksgiving drive-thru dinner event to raise funds for local food cupboards.
- Squarespace Partner — Provides website hosting and platform services for the museum's online presence.
- State Education Department Government — Entity for which the Board of Regents granted the museum an absolute charter.
- State of New York, Department of Law, Charities Bureau Government — Recognizes the museum as a Charitable Organization.
- Sun Chev Funder — Sponsor at the $500 Captain Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- University of the State of New York, Board of Regents Government — Granted an absolute charter to the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.
- WWG Funder — Sponsor at the $500 Captain Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
- images (7) Funder — Sponsor at the $100 Dry Dock Sponsor level for the 2026 Boat Float event
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.
- Experiential Education Through Historic Immersionmethodology: experiential_educationBy placing visitors in recreated historic environments and enabling physical interaction with artifacts like scale model canal boats and towpaths, we produce deeper understanding of 19th-century canal operations and life, because immersive, hands-on experiences create memorable, affective learning that passive observation cannot.
- Family-Engaged Learning Through Play and Accessibilitymethodology: family-engaged learningBy designing family-friendly, play-based programs and ensuring physical accessibility through ADA-compliant infrastructure, we produce intergenerational engagement with Erie Canal history, because lowering cognitive and physical barriers enables shared learning experiences that foster long-term stewardship.
- Integrated Education and Recreation for Public Engagementmethodology: public-engagement-through-education-and-recreationBy combining recreational activities like paddling with historical interpretation and cultural programming, we produce broader public engagement with the Erie Canal’s heritage, because linking leisure with learning lowers barriers to participation and creates meaningful, context-rich experiences that reinforce historical significance.
- Interdisciplinary STEAM Learning Rooted in Historical Innovationmethodology: experiential-stem-educationBy using hands-on archaeology and first-hand interpretation within STEAM/STEM education, we produce engagement with scientific and engineering principles, because connecting historical technological innovation to contemporary exploration fosters problem-solving, creativity, and confidence in learners, especially children.