named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Educational Tours and Programs
Curriculum-aligned programs for schools and youth groups, developed by licensed NYS educators, covering history, science, and civic topics through hands-on interaction with railroad artifacts and technology.
Historic Site Restoration
Ongoing multi-year project to restore the 1889 Oyster Bay Railroad Station to its 1902 appearance and reassemble Steam Locomotive #35 for public display.
Junior Volunteer Program
Monthly program for children aged 10–15 to participate in age-appropriate restoration tasks and learn about rail preservation alongside adult volunteers.
M7 Simulator Experience
Interactive exhibit allowing visitors to operate a simulated Long Island Rail Road M7 railcar using real controls linked to the Train Sim World 5 software, providing an immersive experience of rail operations.
TRAR™ Augmented Reality App
Mobile app featuring 3D augmented reality storytelling by a digital portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt, offering educational narratives about his connection to the Oyster Bay station and local history.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 6 activities
- Offer public train rides and turntable demonstrationsOffers public rides on Long Island’s only operating turntable in the display yard, available every Saturday during the operating season when weather permits, as part of regular public programming.
- Operate historic railroad station and display yard for public visitationOperates the Historic Railroad Station Building and Rail Display Yard for public visits every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00–4:00 PM, providing access to exhibits, historic equipment, and educational programming.
- Operate public exhibits and interactive displaysOperates permanent and interactive exhibits at the historic railroad station building, including a display on Theodore Roosevelt with 12 informational panels and augmented reality experiences featuring 3D simulations voiced by impersonator Joe Wiegand, accessible via a free mobile app.
- Operate train simulators for public engagementOperates three locomotive simulators, including a modified M7-class railcar simulator with retrofitted controls and new monitors, allowing visitors to experience operating a train using authentic equipment.
- Preserve and communicate Long Island's rail transportation historyPreserves and communicates Long Island's rail transportation history through the maintenance and display of historic artifacts, buildings, and rail equipment in working or static condition, including ongoing restoration efforts of significant locomotives and infrastructure.
- Restore and maintain historic locomotive #35Leads the restoration of Steam Locomotive #35, the last steam locomotive to operate on Long Island, including cleaning, painting, and planning for reassembly for yard display, initiated in 1990 and ongoing.
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
- Deliver educational programs aligned with state standardsDevelops and delivers educational programs for students aligned with New York State common core standards across history, civics, geography, language arts, mathematics, and science, featuring hands-on learning and interaction with railroad history.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in museum operations and restorationEngages volunteers in station operations, rail equipment restoration, fundraising events, and administrative tasks, including a Junior Volunteer program for children aged 10 to 15 that involves monthly participation in age-appropriate restoration activities.
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Museum and Historical Gift Shops 1 activity
- Operate gift shop to support museum operationsOperates a gift shop selling rail-themed merchandise, with proceeds directly supporting the museum’s collection, preservation, and educational efforts.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$175K
Contributions & grants$148K85%
Program service revenue$23K13%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$143K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$26K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.53M
Cash$131K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$1.53M
Liquid reserves11.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -4.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 15
- ANN BALDERSTON-GLYNN — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID GOLON — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID MORRISON — BOARD MEMBER
- DOROTHY SIMONS — SECRETARY
- DOUGLAS KASSNER — BOARD MEMBER
- INGRID MORALES-SHEA — BOARD MEMBER
- JEREMY JORGENSEN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOEL FRIEDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN LAVELLE — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN PETSCHE — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN SPECCE — PRESIDENT
- PATRICK LOUGH — BOARD MEMBER
- ROB BRUSCA — VICE PRESIDE
- RONALD SCHNEPF — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS DEL SORBO — TREASURER
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- 360XR™ Partner — Developed the TRAR™ mobile app for OBRM, specializing in historic augmented reality content.
- Blackbaud Giving Fund Funder — Listed as a donor to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.
- Boys and Girls Club of OB-EN Partner — Recognized as a valued donor and community organization supporting the museum's event.
- Center for Developmental Disabilities in Woodbury Partner — Collaborated with OBRM on a video project produced by students with developmental disabilities.
- Dovetail Games Partner — Granted special permission for the museum to use "Train Sim World 5 and LIRR Commuter" in its simulator exhibit.
- Junior Volunteer program Partner — Youth engagement program for children aged 10 to 15 participating in railroad preservation activities.
- Long Island Rail Road Partner — Donated Locomotive #35 to Nassau County and historically operated the Oyster Bay station.
- Long Island Rail Road Partner — Donated three locomotive simulators to the museum for public display and educational use.
- Long Island Rail Road Partner — Exhibit includes historical content on the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and LIRR mascot Roxey, indicating a thematic and historical connection to the Long Island Rail Road.
- Nassau County Parks Department Government — Original jurisdiction under which the Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee operated.
- Raynham Hall Museum Partner — Recognized as a valued donor and local organization supporting the museum's event.
- Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to support the development and availability of the Theodore Roosevelt Augmented Reality app.
- Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Partner — Partner in the Digital Tapestry™ initiative, supporting augmented reality experiences at historical sites including OBRM.
- The Bahnik Family Foundation Funder — Named sponsor of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum's Summer Solstice Celebration.
- Town of Oyster Bay Government — Acquired the Oyster Bay Railroad Station in 2005 for preservation and museum use.
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 Learning Through Hands-On Engagementmethodology: experiential_educationBy engaging students in hands-on, interactive activities and immersive environments, we foster deeper historical understanding because experiential learning increases retention and emotional connection to the subject matter.
- Historical Artifact and Site-Based Preservation Educationmethodology: historical preservation through physical artifactsBy preserving and presenting historic artifacts, buildings, and rail technology in authentic contexts, we communicate the historical impact of rail transportation because physical immersion in real or reconstructed environments fosters public understanding and connection to the past.
- Historical Association as an Engagement Bridgemethodology: historical-association-educationBy linking the museum’s site to nationally recognized historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt, we enhance public engagement because personalizing history through prominent individuals increases relevance and interest in local heritage.
- Immersive Technology-Enhanced Historical Educationmethodology: augmented_reality_educationBy using augmented reality and interactive historical figures, we increase visitor engagement and deepen understanding of railroad history because immersive, personalized experiences make historical content more relatable and memorable.