What they reported doing
- #1 primary $500A scholarship given to a graduating senior at Naples Central School in memory of former board member Bill Cooper. This scholarship is provided to a student that has shown interest in local history throughout their time in high school.
- #2 $12KThe Naples Historical Society spent significant time and funding making repairs to one of their historical buildings, the Red Mill. The foundation was assessed by an engineer, under the guidance of historical preservationists. The foundation was supported and stabilized.
What they call their work
What they do
-
Historic Site Designation Advocacy 3 activities
- Advancing National Register Historic District designationLeads the Naples National Register Historic District Initiative through the Naples Historic District Committee, formally recognized by the Village Board in 2020, to pursue federal recognition of historically significant areas.
- Identifying historic districts and sites for National Register eligibilityThrough the 2019 Naples Historic Resources Survey, identified three district-level and one individual site (Fairview Cemetery) eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places based on architectural, historical, and cultural significance.
- Providing leadership for historic preservation planningSupplies board members and organizational leadership to the Naples Historic District Committee, supporting efforts to identify and document areas eligible for National Register listing.
-
-
Local History Preservation and Education 2 activities
- Conducting and publishing historical researchAuthored and published historical articles on topics including early settlers, local institutions, cultural practices (such as outhouse use), and figures like William “Billy” Marks and his role in the Underground Railroad. Research supports public education and preservation initiatives.
- Curating and maintaining historical archives and collectionsMaintains a public archive open weekly, preserving newsletters, historical artifacts, and stories from Naples, NY. Volunteers regularly clean, organize, identify, and document materials, which include tools, carriages, agricultural implements, and movie theater memorabilia.
-
-
Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Development of self-guided historical toursCreated a self-guided walking and driving audio tour of historic landmarks in Naples, NY, featuring text, audio narration, video content, and dedicated webpage design to promote public engagement with local history.
- Hosting educational programs and public eventsOrganizes and hosts lectures, historical walks, school tours, craft workshops, seasonal festivals, and special presentations such as talks on the Red Mill’s restoration and quilt-based exhibitions. Presented an exhibition titled "Naples History Through the Eye of the Quilter" and hosted related public talks by quilt artist Pat Pauly.
-
-
Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Awarding annual scholarship for local historyProvides an annual scholarship to a graduating senior at Naples Central School who has demonstrated interest in local history, as reported in IRS Form 990 filings.
-
-
Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operation of historic house museums and museum sitesOperates multiple museum properties including the Cleveland House—a 1794 Federal-style home listed on the National Register—and uses the Red Mill as a museum depository for historical artifacts. Offers public and private guided tours, with exhibitions featuring local history and curated collections.
-
-
Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Preservation and restoration of historic buildingsAcquires, repairs, stabilizes, and maintains historic structures in Naples, NY, including the Morgan Hose Building, Cleveland House, and Red Mill. Projects include foundation stabilization, roof repair, drainage improvements, powder post beetle remediation, and accessibility upgrades such as handicap ramps.
-
Who runs it
- Blanche Warner — Vice President
- Cindy Scota — Secretary
- Jeff Wells — board member
- Joan Luther — board member
- Jun Liu — board member
- Kim Torpey — board member
- Michael Terry — board member
- Tom Salviski — board member
- Tricia Lambiase — President
- Wayne Bruchar — board member
- William Sutherby — Treasurer
Who they work with
- American Association for State and Local History Network — Lists AASLH as a national resource, indicating affiliation or alignment with the organization.
- Beth Flory Partner — Contributing author who has written historical articles for the Naples Historical Society on local buildings and figures.
- Bill Vierhile Partner — Privately purchased, repaired, and upgraded the Red Mill before donating it and its contents to the Naples Historical Society in 2015.
- Bob Vierhile Partner — Contributing author who has written historical articles for the Naples Historical Society, including on local infrastructure history.
- Bristol Hills Historical Society Partner — Lists Bristol Hills Historical Society as a related historical organization in the area.
- Bristol Valley Theater Partner — Provided venue space for the Naples Historical Society's presentation on the Naples Red Mill.
- CCFL Partner — Provided technical support for audio preparation and editing through its Recording Studio Manager.
- Canandaigua National Bank Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Divine Designs Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Finger Lakes Dental Care Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Geneva Historical Society Partner — Lists Geneva Historical Society as a related historical organization.
- Hollerhorn Distilling Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Hopewell Historical Society Partner — Lists Hopewell Historical Society as a related historical organization.
- Joseph's Wayside Market Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Kenton Poole Partner — Contributing author who has written multiple historical articles for the Naples Historical Society.
- Landmark Society of Western New York Partner — Partnered to conduct the 2019 Naples Historic Resources Survey to evaluate potential for National Register designations.
- Luigi's Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- MRB Group Partner — Provided a structural condition assessment for the Red Mill
- Monica's Pies Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Naples Central School Partner — Collaborates to award a scholarship to a graduating senior interested in local history.
- Naples Library Partner — Contributed to brochure design and text preparation for the walking tour.
- Naples Rotary Partner — Co-sponsors the Naples Grape Festival with the Naples Historical Society.
- Naples Valley Chiropractic Partner — Donated funds or services to support the Red Mill restoration project
- Ontario County Historical Society Partner — Lists Ontario County Historical Society as a related historical organization.
- Pat Pauly Partner — Collaborated with quilt artist Pat Pauly to present two public talks at the Cleveland House in coordination with a quilt exhibition.
- Pioneer Library System Partner — Collaborated on video preparation for the Naples History Walking Tour.
- Priscilla Crawford Partner — Contributing author who has written a historical article on Naples Memorial Town Hall for the Naples Historical Society.
- Robert J. Vierhile Partner — Contributing author who has written historical articles for the Naples Historical Society, including on the Underground Railroad.
- Sara Almekinder Partner — Contributing author who has written a historical article for the Naples Historical Society.
- Stephen Lewandowski Partner — Contributing author who has written a historical article on Ephraim Cleveland for the Naples Historical Society.
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.
- Community Engagement Through Research Access and Outreachmethodology: community_education_and_outreachBy organizing research resources and offering publications, self-guided tours, and informational sessions during civic processes like National Register designation, the organization fosters public participation in local history, because accessible formats and direct outreach empower residents to engage with and steward their own heritage.
- Education Through Curated Exhibits and Public Programmingmethodology: education-through-exhibitsBy maintaining historical collections, designing thematic exhibits (including juxtapositions of historic and contemporary artifacts), and delivering educational programs, the organization promotes sustained public interest in local history, because curated interpretation helps visitors connect past traditions with present community identity.
- Historic Preservation Through Adaptive Reusemethodology: historic_preservation_through_adaptive_reuseBy restoring and repurposing historic buildings—such as a 19th-century mill—into museums and archival spaces, the organization preserves local history and makes it accessible to the public, because adaptive reuse maintains physical heritage while transforming it into active educational infrastructure.