named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Black Experience Exhibit Series
Traveling pop-up exhibits that illuminate Black history in the Capital Region, including "Working the Waters: Black Mariners on the Hudson River"
Downtown Albany Guided Walking Tours
Group walking tours highlighting Underground Railroad sites of interest in downtown Albany
Founders’ Tour Experience
Premium three-hour tour led by co-founders MaryLiz and Paul Stewart, offering in-depth historical insights and personal narratives
Museum Studies Teen Program
Youth engagement initiative where teens learn museum practices and develop legacy projects related to Black history and social justice
Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Tours
90-minute guided tours of the historic 1850s residence, a hub of Underground Railroad activity, offered to the public and youth groups
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Guided Historic Site Tours 2 activities
- Premium educational tours led by co-foundersOffers a three-hour Founders’ Tour of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence led by co-founders MaryLiz and Paul Stewart, priced at $100 per attendee, providing in-depth historical context and personal insight.
- Public education through guided tours at the Stephen and Harriet Myers ResidenceOffers 90-minute guided public tours and specialized youth group tours at the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, a historic site central to the Underground Railroad in Albany. Tours are offered for a fee, with discounted rates for students and free admission for chaperones.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 2 activities
- Restoration and maintenance of the Myers Residence CampusOwns and maintains the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, including full exterior restoration completed by 2015, installation of accessibility features such as a lift and brick walkway by 2020, construction of an Interpretive Center, off-street parking, and ongoing groundskeeping of gardens and facilities.
- Volunteer engagement in historic preservationEngages volunteers in the hands-on restoration and preservation of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence to its 1850s historic condition, building community capacity and stewardship.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Curating and operating historical exhibitsDevelops and operates permanent and traveling exhibits including "Working the Waters," which highlights Black mariners on the Hudson River, and the Black Experience Exhibit Series, which travels to community spaces to increase access to Black history in the Capital Region and beyond.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Guided walking tours of Underground Railroad sites in Downtown AlbanyProvides guided walking tours of significant Underground Railroad locations in Downtown Albany for groups of 10 or more, enhancing public understanding of local abolitionist history.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting public programs and cultural eventsOrganizes a range of public programs such as the July 4th Oration, theatrical presentations, We Remember: Veterans of Color, Open Mic Coffee House, artist talks (e.g., with Daesha Devon Harris), and programs linked to exhibitions to engage the public with history and art.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Organizing signature fundraising and awareness eventsPlans and executes major public events such as the Charles Nalle Climb to Freedom Over the Edge rappelling event to raise awareness and support for the organization’s mission.
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Historical and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Research and preservation of Underground Railroad historyConducts research on the history of the Underground Railroad with emphasis on local, national, and international significance, and connects this history to contemporary social justice issues. Maintains and develops a virtual database of historical artifacts and archival collections.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth and community engagement programsHosts weekly craft nights at the Myers Residence for socializing and creative expression, and supports youth leadership initiatives such as the YALI 2026 program, culminating in public showcases of teen-developed legacy projects.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$864K
Contributions & grants$843K98%
Program service revenue$15K2%
Investment income$6K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$368K
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$254K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.20M
Cash$47K
Investments$107K
Liabilities$205K
Net assets$1.99M
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY LIZ STEWART | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $52K |
board members · 17
- ANGELO MADDOX — DIRECTOR
- BRENDA TWIGGS — DIRECTOR
- CECILIA ARCHER-TUCKER — DIRECTOR
- DARIUS SHAHINFAR — DIRECTOR
- DAVID HOCHFELDER — VICE PRESIDE
- ETHEL WALKER — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER BURNS — DIRECTOR
- LEON WALKER — DIRECTOR
- LISBETH CALANDRINO — DIRECTOR
- MATT KIRK — TREASURER
- NANCY DELAIN — DIRECTOR
- PAUL STEWART — SECRETARY
- RON GARDNER — PRESIDENT
- SAMUEL FEIN — DIRECTOR
- SARA ANDERSON — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN O'CONNOR — DIRECTOR
- YVONNE ABUNAW — DIRECTOR
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- Advance Albany County Alliance Funder — Provides financial support for the Artist Talk: Just Beyond the River event.
- Advance Albany County Alliance Partner — Special Donor in 2025
- Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center Partner — Collaborates with the Underground Railroad Education Center to host the Artist Talk: Just Beyond the River.
- Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center Partner — Hosts the "Working the Waters" exhibit.
- Assembly Member Gabriella Romero Government — Special Donor in 2025
- Carl E. Touhey Foundation Funder — Special Donor in 2025
- Communications Committee Partner — Collaborates with the Program and Fundraising Committee to plan and implement public programs and events.
- Empire State Development Government — Special Donor in 2025
- First Reformed Church of Schenectady Partner — Donor to December Dash 2025
- Judith Fund of the Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region Funder — Special Donor in 2025
- M& T Charitable Foundation Funder — Special Donor in 2025
- Mary Liz Stewart Partner — Board member involved in organizing the Fund Development Committee
- MaryLiz Stewart Partner — Co-founder of the Underground Railroad Education Center and co-conductor of the Founders’ Tour Experience.
- NYS Assembly Government — Special Donor in 2025
- NYSERDA Government — Special Donor in 2025
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Special Donor in 2025
- Paul Stewart Partner — Board member involved in organizing the Fund Development Committee
- Paul Stewart Partner — Co-founder of the Underground Railroad Education Center and co-conductor of the Founders’ Tour Experience.
- Price Chopper Market 32 Partner — Special Donor in 2025
- Review Foundation of the Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region Funder — Special Donor in 2025
- Senator Pat Fahy Government — Special Donor in 2025
- Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation Funder — Special Donor in 2025
- Solidarity Committee of the Capital District Partner — General and Membership Donor
- Southgate Elementary Partner — General and Membership Donor
- St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church Partner — General and Membership Donor
- Stephen and Harriet Myers Partner — Historic residents and operators of the Underground Railroad headquarters at the site; central figures in the organization's educational mission.
- Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence Partner — Operates educational tours at the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence to teach the history of the Black Abolitionist movement.
- Stewart’s Holiday Match Partner — Special Donor in 2025
- Tower Family Fund, Inc. Funder — General and Membership Donor
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.
- Experiential and Artistic Public Engagementmethodology: experiential_educationBy using experiential education, historical reenactment, and artistic storytelling, the organization deepens public connection to Black history and abolitionist legacies, because immersive and creative formats make historical narratives more accessible, emotionally resonant, and actionable for diverse audiences.
- Historical Education for Social Changemethodology: historical-education-for-social-changeBy researching, preserving, and teaching the history of the Underground Railroad, the organization fosters public awareness and empowers individuals to engage in contemporary social justice action, because understanding historical resistance inspires present-day advocacy and civic engagement.
- Mobile and Accessible History Outreachmethodology: traveling exhibit modelBy bringing traveling pop-up exhibits into diverse community spaces, the organization increases public access to Black history, because removing institutional barriers and meeting communities where they are expands reach and engagement among underserved populations.