named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Historical Research & Publication
Produces in-depth historical articles and narratives focusing on Roosevelt Island and underrepresented stories in New York City history, published through the Roosevelt Island Historical Society website and newsletter.
Public History Education
Disseminates historical knowledge through illustrated articles, photo documentation, and collaborations with cultural publications to educate the public about local heritage.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Historical and Genealogical Research 2 activities
- Historical research and documentation on LGBTQ+ and immigrant historyConducts historical research and publishes findings on significant LGBTQ+ and immigrant figures and events, including the 1912 arrival of a Polish immigrant woman at Ellis Island seeking intellectual and sexual freedom, the 1925 publication of "Lesbian Love" (recognized as America's first ethnography of lesbians), and the life and prosecution of Eve Adams, including documentation of her Greenwich Village tearoom, Eve’s Hangout, as a 1920s gathering place for activists and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Research and publication on German-American cultural historyConducts and publishes historical research on cultural enclaves such as the German-American community in Yorkville, detailing its culinary, social, and cultural history.
-
-
Oral History Collection and Preservation 1 activity
- Digital publication of rare historical textsPresents digital facsimiles of rare historical texts, including "Lesbian Love" by Eve Adams, based on the only known surviving copy held at the Library of Congress.
-
-
Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
- Presentation of historical artwork and cultural contentFeatures historical artwork in digital archive series, including wooden block prints, works by Georgette, and pieces by a Mexican early twentieth-century master, as well as dedicated content on institutions like the Beaux Arts Institute of Design.
-
-
Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Preservation and dissemination of Roosevelt Island historical recordsRecovers, maintains, preserves, and disseminates historical records related to Roosevelt Island's heritage from colonial times to the present, including ongoing efforts to promote awareness of the island's history and preserve its landmarks and artifacts.
-
-
Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication of Blackwell’s AlmanacPublishes Blackwell’s Almanac continuously since at least 2015, releasing approximately quarterly issues such as the May 2025 edition (Volume XI, No. 2), a 24-page publication featuring historical articles, photographs, and organizational updates.
-
-
Local History Publishing 1 activity
- Publication of historical books and sale to support operationsResearches, publishes, and sells historical books such as "Images of America: Roosevelt Island" and a book about the Queensboro Bridge for $25 plus $4 shipping, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s activities and operations.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operation of visitor center kioskOperates a visitor center kiosk on Roosevelt Island daily except Tuesdays from 12 noon to 5 p.m., offering information and merchandise for sale and accepting credit card payments; the center has been in operation for at least 10 years as of 2017.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$59K
Contributions & grants$23K38%
Program service revenue$2K3%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$70K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$60K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$56K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia Schwartzberg | Bookkeeper | 20 | $8K |
| Judith Berdy | President | 15 | $7K |
| Deborah Dorff | Trustee | 2 | $3K |
| Arlene Bessenoff | Trustee | 2 | $1 |
board members · 3
- Lisa Fernandez — Trustee
- Matthias Altwicker — Trustee
- Thom Heyer — Trustee
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission Government — Source of original historical reports used to document landmark structures on Roosevelt Island.
- Dropbox Partner — Hosts archived issues of Blackwell’s Almanac, including the February 2024 edition, via shared links.
- Greater Astoria Historical Society Partner — Co-author of the book "Images of America: The Queensboro Bridge"
- Home and Away Magazine Partner — Featured in Home and Away Magazine for stories on Roosevelt Island's revival and community.
- Jaap Harskamp Partner — Author and collaborator who contributes historical research on lesbian history to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society's publications.
- Julia Gash Partner — Collaborates with artist Julia Gash to produce exclusive design items including note cards, ornaments, totes, and baby bibs featuring Roosevelt Island themes.
- Library of Congress Partner — Collaborated to present a digital facsimile of the rare text "Lesbian Love" by Eve Adams, originally traced by Jonathan Ned Katz.
- New York Almanack Partner — Co-published content on the history of German-American communities in New York City.
- New York Almanack Partner — Co-publishes content with the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, including historical articles on LGBTQ+ history.
- New York Almanack Partner — Co-publishes historical content with the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, including research on LGBTQ+ history and immigration.
- New York Public Library Network — Holds the only known surviving copy of "Lesbian Love," a key historical document referenced in the society's research.
- The Main Street WIRE Partner — Collaborates with or is featured in The Main Street WIRE for public outreach and historical storytelling.
- The New York Times Partner — Featured in The New York Times for coverage on Roosevelt Island's history and community life.
- The Wall Street Journal Partner — Featured in The Wall Street Journal for coverage on Roosevelt Island's development and historical context.
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.
- Community Engagement Through Curated and Accessible Contentmethodology: accessibility-through-transportation-hub-placementBy distributing historical knowledge through accessible formats such as regular publications (e.g., Blackwell’s Almanac), digital platforms, and strategically placed public kiosks, the organization fosters ongoing public engagement because consistent, well-curated, and conveniently available content sustains interest and lowers barriers to participation.
- Historical Preservation Through Public Access and Documentationmethodology: historical_preservation_and_public_accessBy systematically recovering, validating, and maintaining historical records — including through official documentation, period photos, and primary sources — the organization preserves local history and increases public engagement, because authoritative and accessible archives enable broader community understanding and connection to the past.
- Recovering Marginalized Histories Through Cultural and Narrative Analysismethodology: cultural_heritage_documentationBy analyzing cultural spaces, symbols, and immigrant narratives — such as lesbian-run tearooms or gender-nonconforming fashion — the organization uncovers and disseminates hidden or marginalized histories because interpretive, context-rich storytelling reveals social dynamics that official records often omit.