irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1KPHOTO EXHIBIT: MAINTENANCE OF GEORGE BOLSTER COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS. NUMBER OF PERSONS BENEFITTED 3,000 - 5,000.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
AI Historical Tour Guides
Digital avatars of historical figures like John Morrissey and Frank Leslie provide interactive, smartphone-accessible narratives about Saratoga’s past.
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll
Guided walking tour through Congress Park and the Canfield Casino exploring Saratoga Springs' Gilded Age history; runs from June to October.
Indigenous History Exhibit
Permanent exhibit exploring the history and legacy of Indigenous peoples in the Saratoga region; recently updated and reopened.
Scandals of Saratoga Exhibition
Curated exhibit uncovering the darker side of Saratoga’s Gilded Age, including stories of murder, illegal gambling, and social exclusion.
Summer Ghost Tours
90-minute guided tours of the Canfield Casino offering eerie stories, ghostly legends, and paranormal investigations; held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from July through August.
Trifecta Tour
Annual immersive tour exploring bootlegging, gambling, and racing history across three iconic Saratoga locations, featuring trolley transport and exclusive access.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Local History Museum Operations 2 activities
- Maintain and operate permanent and changing exhibitionsOperates permanent exhibits on topics including the Native American history of the region, Frank Leslie’s role in women's suffrage and journalism, Saratoga’s historic hotels, and the city’s mineral springs and bottling industry. Also presents changing exhibitions such as “The Scandals of Saratoga,” and manages the Walworth Memorial Museum with exhibits on the Walworth family and artist Nelson Cook.
- Operate and maintain the Canfield Casino museum and historic siteOperates the Canfield Casino, a National Historic Landmark, as a public museum open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, offering general admission visits and hosting researchers. Provides educational and interpretive experiences focused on Saratoga Springs history.
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Historical Cemetery and Museum Ghost Tours 1 activity
- Conduct guided tours and walking toursOffers 90-minute guided tours of the Canfield Casino featuring haunted history, eerie stories, and tales from its past, including references to its appearance on SYFY’s Ghost Hunters. Conducts seasonal Summer Ghost Tours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from July 1 through August 31. Co-hosts a walking tour titled “Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll” through Congress Park and the Casino, offered from June to October.
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Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Deliver interactive and technology-enhanced historical experiencesProvides AI-powered historical tour guides launched in March 2026, enabling visitors to interact via smartphones and interactive portraits with digital avatars of historical figures such as John Morrissey and Frank Leslie. Also demonstrates interactive AI kiosks for public engagement with local history.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Host public programs, lectures, and special eventsHosts a rotating lineup of public events including lectures on historical figures and periods, book signings, gallery talks for members, and immersive signature events such as the Trifecta Tour that explore bootlegging, gambling, and racing history across multiple historic locations.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Manage and provide access to historical collections and archivesManages a collection of approximately 16,000 artifacts and the George S. Bolster Collection of about 325,000 photographic negatives documenting Saratoga Springs history, with significant material dating from 1900 to 1960. Offers public and researcher access to the Bolster Collection both in person and through an online platform at historicsaratogaphotos.com.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Offer membership program with benefitsOffers annual individual and family memberships that include free museum admission for up to five household members, free or discounted tickets to programs and events, a coupon for a free gift from the Museum Shop, and special benefits such as historic image prints and private tours for higher-tier members.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Organize fundraising events and secure sponsorshipsHosts signature fundraising events supported by ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent auctions to fund exhibitions, educational programs, collections care, preservation projects, and community events. Recognizes corporate and organizational sponsors on its website.
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Museum-Based Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Provide educational programs for schoolsDelivers in-class, hands-on educational programs using authentic artifacts to teach local history to elementary students. Offers structured program packages combining classroom and auditorium sessions, and provides a 50% discount on field trips to the museum and park for participating schools.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$204K
Contributions & grants$74K36%
Program service revenue$99K48%
Investment income$10K5%
Other revenue$22K
expenses
Total expenses$179K
Program expenses32%
Admin / overhead68%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$117K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$330K
Cash$94K
Investments$143K
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$328K
Liquid reserves15.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMIE PARILLO | EXEC DIRECTO | 40 | $72K |
board members · 14
- ABIGAIL CROTTY — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROL BLOWERS — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROL DAGGS — BOARD MEMBER
- CORRINE SCIROCCO — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVE CARR — VICE PRESIDE
- EDWARD LENZ — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIC MORSER — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN IRVING — PRESIDENT
- JOHN PECORA — TREASURER
- KYLE HUGHES — BOARD MEMBER
- MADDY ZANETTI — BOARD MEMBER
- MARIANNE SINNIAPKIN — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL NAUGHTON — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD MARTIN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Adirondack Trust Company Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Bright Sighted Media Partner — Produced a podcast episode with the museum director on Saratoga’s casino era and Gilded Age history.
- Camelot Print & Copy Centers Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Canfield Casino Partner — Collaborates on museum programming related to the history of Saratoga Springs.
- City of Saratoga Springs Government — Owns and operates the Canfield Casino, which houses the museum.
- Cudney's Cleaners Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Educational Advisory Board Partner — Composed of active and retired educators who vet and ensure the quality of educational programming.
- Ghost Hunters Partner — Conducted an overnight paranormal investigation at the Canfield Casino, featured on Syfy.
- Hudson Mohawk Magazine Partner — Featured the museum in an interview discussing leadership, community support, ghost tours, and upcoming exhibits.
- Impressions of Saratoga Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Morgan Linen Service Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Ndakinna Education Center Partner — Collaborated on the "First Saratogians" exhibit about Indigenous peoples of the Saratoga Springs region.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Organizational sponsor and likely grant funder of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Olde Saratoga Paranormal Group Partner — Collaborates with the group to conduct a live paranormal investigation during a fundraising event.
- Prestwick Chase at Saratoga Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Sanctuary Radio Partner — Conducted an interview with the museum director about Saratoga Springs history and programming.
- Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center Partner — Co-hosts the "Grand, Gilded, and Glorious" walking tour through Congress Park and Canfield Casino.
- Skidmore College Partner — Student Shoshi Cohen curated the "Scandals of Saratoga" exhibition at the museum.
- Stewart's Shops Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Stimler Advantage Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Syfy Partner — Broadcast Ghost Hunters episode featuring an investigation at the Canfield Casino.
- The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust Funder — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- The Dark Horse Mercantile Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- The River Farm America Foundation Funder — Organizational sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- The Wandering Food Dude Partner — Contracts with the caterer to provide dinner for guests during the Spirited Evening event.
- Thirsty Owl Outlet & Wine Outlet Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
- Travel Channel Partner — Featured the Canfield Casino as one of America’s Most Terrifying Places.
- WTEN+ Partner — Collaborated on a feature titled "Upstate Archives Visits Saratoga" exploring the city's mineral springs and history.
- West & Company CPAs PC Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
+ 2 more
strategies · 5
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.
- Artifact-Centered and Immersive Storytellingmethodology: immersive storytellingBy using tactile interaction with authentic artifacts and immersive historical programming—such as storytelling in historic settings—the organization strengthens public connection to heritage because sensory and narrative immersion fosters emotional resonance and deeper learning.
- Exhibit-Based Public Engagement and Educationmethodology: exhibit-based public engagementBy using museum exhibitions and photo displays of historical collections, the organization advances public education and engagement in local history because visual and curated exhibits make historical narratives accessible and compelling to diverse audiences.
- Interactive and Technology-Enhanced Historical Engagementmethodology: technology-enhanced engagementBy integrating AI kiosks and digital avatars of historical figures, the organization deepens visitor engagement with local history because interactive, inquiry-based technology creates personalized and immersive learning experiences that sustain interest and understanding.
- Membership and Private Funding Model for Sustainabilitymethodology: privately_funded_membership_modelBy offering financial-value-driven membership benefits and relying on private funding, the organization sustains operations and programming because structuring membership as a cost-effective engagement tool incentivizes recurring support and community ownership.
- Volunteer-Powered Visitor Engagementmethodology: volunteer-driven visitor engagementBy utilizing volunteer greeters and docents, the organization enhances visitor experience and operational capacity because trained community volunteers provide personalized, knowledgeable interactions that deepen public connection to the museum.