irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $09
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Famous Cemetery Tour
Evening theatrical tour of Palmyra’s historic cemetery led by a costumed guide portraying Mrs. Sophia Allen, highlighting notable residents and local history.
History, Mystery & Tragedy Tour
Guided walking tour through Palmyra that explores local legends, unsolved mysteries, tragic events, and historical figures, starting at the Alling Coverlet Museum.
Homes for the Holiday House Tour
Seasonal event showcasing decorated historic homes in Palmyra, promoting architectural heritage and community engagement during the holidays.
Museum Trail Pass Program
Offers visitors access to all five museums for a single admission price, encouraging exploration of Palmyra’s historical sites including the Erie Canal Depot, Print Shop, and Phelps General Store.
Paranormal Investigations
After-hours events including "Walk with the Spirits" and public ghost hunts that combine historical narratives with paranormal exploration in historic buildings and cemeteries.
Sibyl's Birthday Bash
Annual event celebrating Miss Sibyl Phelps featuring private readings, séances, workshops, and historical performances centered on local folklore and spiritualism.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Historical Cemetery and Museum Ghost Tours 2 activities
- Host paranormal investigation eventsOrganizes immersive paranormal investigations at historic museum buildings and the St. James Hotel, including guided walks through cemeteries and canal trails, provision of investigation equipment, and after-hours events themed around local ghost stories.
- Host public historical and cemetery toursConducts guided walking tours exploring Palmyra’s history, mysteries, and tragedies, including nighttime tours visiting the old cemetery and canal trail, and hosts scheduled cemetery tour events with dramatic portrayals of historical residents, refreshments, and multiple showings per night.
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Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
- Accept donations of artifacts and fundsAccepts monetary donations to support museum and organizational operations, and accepts artifact donations for the museum collection subject to approval by the Director based on relevance, condition, authenticity, and provenance.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Deliver educational programming and exhibitsProvides educational exhibits on figures such as Sir Winston Churchill and Increase Lapham, and on topics including the Abolition Movement and Erie Canal history, along with school and group visits, free workshops, and guided educational tours.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Manage volunteer and internship programsEngages volunteers in museum operations such as tour guiding, maintenance, and event support, and offers internships in collections management, museum education, events planning, curatorship, and grant writing.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate and maintain five historic museumsOperates and maintains five historic museum sites in Palmyra, NY — Palmyra Historical Museum, Erie Canal Depot, Print Shop Museum, Phelps General Store & Residence, and Alling Coverlet Museum — preserving architectural heritage from the early 1800s to the Victorian era and welcoming thousands of visitors annually.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organize annual special eventsHosts recurring annual events including a birthday celebration for Sibyl Phelps featuring food, private readings, and gallery events, as well as the “Homes for the Holidays” house tour.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Provide public access to historical research collectionsOffers access to a research facility with historical collections spanning from 1781 to the present, covering topics such as the Civil War, military history, the Erie Canal, and medical history, supporting education and historical research on Palmyra and surrounding areas.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$154K
Contributions & grants$63K41%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$82K53%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$149K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$71K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$841K
Cash$448K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$841K
Liquid reserves36.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +13.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Murphy | Executive Director | 30 | $37K |
| Jennifer Morrisey | Trustee | 1 | $9 |
board members · 4
- Andrew Lambrix — Trustee
- Frank Graham — Trustee
- Mike Dunn — Trustee
- Renee Hermann — Trustee
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Alling Coverlet Museum Partner — Hosts the starting point for the History, Mystery and Tragedy Tour.
- Alling Coverlet Museum Partner — One of five museums operated by Historic Palmyra Inc at 122 William St., Palmyra
- Blue Star Museums Network — Participates in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty service members and veterans.
- Draper Allen Government — Former Village President whose donation funded the cemetery; referenced in connection with Mrs. Sophia Allen.
- Erie Canal Depot Partner — One of five museums operated by Historic Palmyra Inc at 136 Market St., Palmyra
- Palmyra Historical Museum Partner — One of five museums operated by Historic Palmyra Inc at 132 Market St., Palmyra
- Palmyra Print Shop Partner — One of five museums operated by Historic Palmyra Inc at 138 Market St., Palmyra
- Phelps General Store Partner — One of five museums operated by Historic Palmyra Inc at 140 Market St., Palmyra
strategies · 2
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 and Immersive Education Modelmethodology: experiential-educationBy using immersive, narrative-driven, and hands-on experiences — such as paranormal investigations, historical character guides, and story-based events — we engage the public with local history because experiential participation fosters deeper emotional connection and retention compared to passive learning.
- Integrated Conservation and Public Educationmethodology: conservation-and-educationBy simultaneously preserving architecture, artifacts, and archives and using them as the foundation for museum-based education, we advance public understanding of local history because physical authenticity enhances the credibility and impact of educational programming.