named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
1735 Brouwer House Creative
Historic site offering cultural and educational programming
Call to Artists
Program inviting local and regional artists to exhibit 2D and small 3D works in the Van Schaick Gallery at Mabee Farm, with opening receptions and promotional support
Mabee Farm Historic Site
Historic site featuring three historic garden beds, a field garden, and educational programs including tours, workshops, and special events; hosts artist exhibitions in the Van Schaick Gallery
Museums for All
Access program allowing SNAP EBT cardholders to visit for $0 (up to four people) to promote inclusive access to cultural resources
Schenectady History Museum & Library/Archives
Museum and research library housing over 6,000 books, 30,000 photographic prints, and 2,000 linear feet of archival records related to Schenectady County history
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Historical performances and live eventsPresents dramatic historical performances such as "Rendezvous with Treason: The André/Arnold Conspiracy," live Shakespeare productions at Mabee Farm, and other audience-engaged events that dramatize key moments in local and national history.
- Public historical tours and educational programsConducts a wide range of guided public tours and educational programs, including walking tours of the Stockade Historic District (New York State’s first historic district), evening mansion tours focusing on Gilded Age families, historical kayak tours along the Mohawk River, farm tours with colonial craft demonstrations, and themed tours exploring topics such as patriotism during the American Revolution, crime and scandal in Schenectady’s past, and enslaved people’s experiences at Mabee Farm.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Admission accessibility program participationParticipates in the Museums for All program by offering free admission to individuals presenting SNAP EBT cards, up to four people per visit.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community festivals and public eventsOrganizes community events including an annual arts and crafts fair with over 70 artists and crafters, a free family festival with live music and fireworks, and wine tasting and history tours.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Event venue rental operationsOperates The Barn at Mabee Farm and other facilities as event venues, offering rentals for weddings and non-wedding events at set rates: $2,300 for wedding use of the Dutch Barn, $100 per hour for non-wedding use of The Barn, and $35 per hour for the Pavilion, Lecture Hall, or Conference Room.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Exhibitions and historical content presentationProduces and presents exhibitions such as "The Menagerie: Animals in the Archives," which explore Schenectady’s history through thematic displays of archival and material culture.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Family and children's educational programmingHosts family-focused and children’s events at Mabee Farm featuring hands-on activities such as colonial craft demonstrations, farm animal interactions, historic boat rides, and agricultural learning experiences.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Membership benefits and reciprocal access programsOffers tiered membership benefits including free admission to all Society sites, reciprocal access to over 30 museums via the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, access to over 1,300 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association for higher-tier members, private research assistance, and complimentary private guided tours with additional amenities for top-level members.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Newsletter production and distributionProduces and distributes a periodic newsletter to share historical content and organizational updates with members and the public.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Preservation and management of historical collectionsOperates a library and museum to preserve and provide access to extensive historical materials, including over 6,000 books, 30,000 photographic prints, 750 maps, 2,000 linear feet of archival records, and a museum collection of more than 12,500 objects representing Schenectady County's cultural, industrial, and social history.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.08M
Contributions & grants$527K49%
Program service revenue$125K12%
Investment income$249K23%
Other revenue$178K
expenses
Total expenses$955K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$405K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.31M
Cash$1.21M
Investments$4.94M
Liabilities$449K
Net assets$8.86M
Liquid reserves77.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +13.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 16
- ANGELA COMITTO — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER LEONARD — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER MARNEY — TRUSTEE
- DAVID LEBLANC — TRUSTEE
- DAVID TRESTICK — VICE PRESIDENT
- JILL BOGDANOWICZ-WILSON — TRUSTEE
- JOHN HALSTEAD — TREASURER
- KIMBERLY WALDIN — TRUSTEE
- MARK VERMILYEA — PRESIDENT
- PHILIP FIELDS — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT CARNEY — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT SULLIVAN — SECRETARY
- RUSS HART — TRUSTEE
- SARAH KIRBY — TRUSTEE
- SONIA SANDOVAL — TRUSTEE
- SUZY UNGER — TRUSTEE
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Chenango County Historical Society Partner — Participating institution in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, offering reciprocal admission to SCHS members.
- Columbia County Historical Society Partner — Participating institution in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, offering reciprocal admission to SCHS members.
- Cortland County Historical Society Partner — Participating institution in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, offering reciprocal admission to SCHS members.
- Drama from the Past Partner — Collaborated with the acting group to present a dramatic portrayal of the André/Arnold conspiracy.
- Druthers Partner — Meets for kayak tours near Druthers at Mohawk Harbor.
- Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program Partner — Partnership providing reciprocal admission benefits between Schenectady County Historical Society and over 30 participating New York museums.
- Institute of Museum and Library Services Government — Partner in the Museums for All program, supporting access to SCHS for SNAP recipients.
- Mabee Farm Partner — Collaborates with Mabee Farm to host children-focused educational programs.
- New-York Historical Society Partner — Participating institution in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, offering reciprocal admission to SCHS members.
- North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association Network — Membership in NARM provides reciprocal admission benefits to over 1,300 museums across North America for qualifying SCHS members.
- Pinterest Partner — Shares event inspiration through a Pinterest page.
- Will Kempe's Players Partner — Collaborates to present Shakespeare performances at Mabee Farm.
- miSci (Museum of Innovation & Science) Partner — Participating institution in the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program, located in Schenectady, NY, offering reciprocal admission to SCHS members.
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 Immersive Historymethodology: experiential_educationBy engaging participants in hands-on, location-based experiences such as kayak tours, walking tours, and colonial-era crafts, we deepen public understanding of local history because immersive, sensory-rich encounters make historical narratives more tangible and memorable.
- Inclusive and Critical Historical Interpretationmethodology: inclusive_history_interpretationBy centering marginalized perspectives and challenging nostalgic or dominant narratives through storytelling, theater, and exhibitions, we foster a more accurate and equitable public understanding of history because inclusive and critical narratives promote deeper engagement and social reflection.
- Storytelling and Public Dialogue as Engagement Toolsmethodology: storytelling-and-dialogueBy using storytelling and public dialogue in tours, performances, and exhibitions, we promote understanding of regional history and culture because narrative-based engagement fosters emotional connection and sustained public interest.
- Symbolic and Sustained Stewardship Modelmethodology: historical_stewardshipBy linking recurring donor support to symbolic acts of historical stewardship—such as the 'Lockkeeper' program—we cultivate long-term financial resilience because donors are more engaged when their contributions are framed as active participation in preserving community heritage.