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research dossier

DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

RHINEBECK, NY · EIN 141505142 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · dchsny.org

revenue

$124K

expenses

$111K

net assets

$91K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

REGARDING ITS PROGRAM TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND SHARE THE MANY PHYSICAL DOCUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND OBJECTS ENTRUSTED TO IT BY DONORS SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE DUTCHESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAINTAINS A SECURE, CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT, FOLLOWS STRICT ARCHIVAL PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES, AND ENSURES SAFE ACCESS. IT PROVIDES ACCESS THROUGH PUBLISHED EXHIBITIONS AND THROUGH THE SENDING OF INFORMATION UPON INDIVIDUAL REQUEST AND THROUGH ONSITE MEETINGS. THOSE INTERESTED INCLUDE HISTORIANS, HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS, JOURNALISTS, ACADEMICS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE DCHS COLLECTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Dutchess County Historical Society preserves and protects historical documents, photographs, and artifacts from Dutchess County, New York. It maintains a climate-controlled archive and provides access through exhibitions, research requests, and on-site visits. The organization serves historians, academics, genealogists, and the general public interested in local history and heritage.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Archival Preservation Program

Maintains a secure, climate-controlled environment for the preservation of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts in accordance with professional archival standards

Dr. Franklin R. Butts Research Library

Provides access to archival collections including census records, family genealogies, historical directories, and local histories for research purposes

Published Exhibitions

Shares historical content through published exhibitions and curated historical records on specific themes such as agriculture, architecture, and local governance

activities · 7 groups

What they do

Archival Digitization and Preservation 2 activities
- Developing research tools and finding aids
  
  Develops searchable finding aids and digital collections to support historical research and improve access to archival materials.
- Digitizing and providing online access to historical content
  
  Made Yearbook volumes from 1914 to 1940 and all other historical publications available online; provides digital access to video content including oral histories, documentaries, 1913 film footage, and diverse historical topics through curated playlists and search tools.
Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Hosting public educational programs and events
  
  Offers in-person and online exhibits, lectures, conferences, living history programs, special presentations, and classroom programs to engage the public with Dutchess County history across multiple platforms.
- Leading local commemoration initiatives
  
  Conducted three "REV250" programs funded by Dutchess County Government and launched a local commemoration initiative for the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in December 2023.
Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Administering history awards and recognition programs
  
  Offers annual awards to recognize and encourage best practices in local history preservation and scholarship.
Historical and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Conducting and promoting research on underrepresented histories
  
  Conducts historical research focused on underrepresented narratives, including African and African American communities, women’s history, and veterans; published landmark works such as "Invisible People, Untold Stories" and hosts programs exploring economic diversity in 19th-century Black communities.
Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Preservation and archival management of historical materials
  
  Maintains a climate-controlled archival facility at Clinton House in Poughkeepsie with 4,000 linear feet of secure storage for historical documents and artifacts; follows strict archival protocols to preserve Dutchess County's historical record.
Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Providing public access to historical collections
  
  Provides access to historical documents and objects through published exhibitions, onsite meetings, responses to individual research requests, self-guided tours, and an alphabetical list of archival collections; operates the Dr. Franklin R. Butts Research Library to support historical research.
Local History Publishing 1 activity
- Publishing historical research and yearbooks
  
  Has published the Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook annually since 1914—the oldest such publication in New York State—and has made all issues available online; also published ten volumes of historical collections and pamphlets between 1914 and 1979 and 14 additional books on local history.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$124K

Contributions & grants$52K42%

Program service revenue$7K6%

Investment income——

Other revenue$4K

expenses

Total expenses$111K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$33K

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$92K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$91K

3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -10.5%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 11

ANDREW VILLANI — TRUSTEE
ANTONIA MAURO — TRUSTEE
EILEEN HAYDEN — TRUSTEE
ELIZABETH STRAUSS — TRUSTEE
KAREN LAMBDIN — TRUSTEE
MELODYE MOORE — TRUSTEE
MICHAEL BODEN — TRUSTEE
PETER BUNTEN — TRUSTEE
PETER FORMAN — TRUSTEE
RICHARD SOEDLER — TRUSTEE
WAYNE NUSSBICKEL — TRUSTEE

relationships · 7

Who they work with

CR Properties Funder — Provided financial support for the Civil War lecture series presented by DCHS Trustee Dr. Michael Boden.
Celebrating the African Spirit Partner — Collaborates on research and programming related to local Black history, including a Frederick Douglass speech reenactment.
Dutchess County Department of History Partner — Co-sponsored the online event "Navigating Wealth & Poverty: The Varied Economies of the 19th-Century Black Community" in recognition of Black History Month.
Dutchess County Government Funder — Provided funding for three REV250 programs.
Historic American Buildings Survey Partner — Collaborates on preservation and documentation of historic structures such as St. George’s Church.
Library of Congress Partner — Holds shared archival materials, including photographs of St. George’s Church.
Vassar College Partner — Collaborates on historical topics related to women's history and education

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.

Archival Stewardship with Public Engagement

methodology: archival_stewardship_and_public_engagement
By preserving historical materials through climate-controlled storage and strict archival protocols, and combining this with active interpretation and public presentation, the organization makes history accessible and engaging because long-term preservation enables future access while creative presentation fosters public connection.
Creative and Multimodal History Dissemination

methodology: creative_expression_of_history
By using diverse formats such as digital media, exhibitions, living history, and publications to present historical content, the organization increases public engagement because varied modalities reach broader and more diverse audiences than traditional archival access alone.
Inclusive and Community-Engaged Historical Practice

methodology: inclusive_history_research
By intentionally identifying underrepresented communities and collaborating with groups like Indigenous Peoples through community input, the organization produces more accurate and inclusive historical narratives because participatory methods correct systemic omissions and build trust in historical representation.