named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Archival Collections Program
Ongoing curation and preservation of historical documents, letters, business records, and photographs from Red Hook’s past, including the Wilken Family V-Letters and Mead Orchards archives
Elmendorph Inn Interpretive Plan
Development of a strategic interpretive plan to guide exhibits, tours, and educational programming at the historic Elmendorph Inn as a community-centered historic site
StoryStudio
Archival and community space at 5 Cherry Street dedicated to preserving and sharing 250+ years of Red Hook history through collections and public engagement
Then and Now Festival
Annual public festival celebrating Red Hook’s history through dynamic programming, exhibits, and community participation
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Local History Preservation and Education 2 activities
- Exhibit development and interpretationDesigns and produces physical and interactive exhibits at the Elmendorph Inn, including panels, maps, audio, images, and hands-on components. Develops interpretive plans, room-by-room storytelling, and accessible visuals aligned with the historic character of the site.
- Historical researchConducts research to identify everyday people, places, objects, and events that shaped Red Hook’s history, supporting exhibit development and public programming.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Educational programming and toursOffers guided public tours of the Elmendorph Inn and develops curriculum-connected lesson plans, educational resources, and hands-on activities for students and community members to learn about Red Hook’s history.
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Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
- Fundraising and donor engagementConducts fundraising through donor outreach, grant research, and appeals. Secured major grants including a Partnership Grant from the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation and a Collections Care Grant from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Historical collections management and accessCollects, preserves, organizes, catalogs, and digitizes historical materials related to Red Hook, including photographs, correspondence, journals, financial records, scrapbooks, genealogies, and published works. Provides public access through the StoryStudio on Tuesdays and research services.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Membership and communications outreachDistributes a monthly email newsletter to members, offers membership benefits including discounted research and reservation fees, and provides online and mail-in renewal options. Produces social media content, flyers, and other communications to promote programs.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Organizational capacity buildingStrengthened organizational infrastructure by appointing the first part-time executive director in 2021 and recruiting new board trustees through targeted outreach and candidate identification.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Preservation and maintenance of the Elmendorph InnMaintains and restores the historic Elmendorph Inn, including ongoing care of the building and grounds (Elmendorph Inn & Green), ensuring public access and use as a community center. The property was acquired in 1977 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Public programming and community events at the Elmendorph InnHosts recurring and seasonal community gatherings such as Soup Night, Chili Night, Holiday Open House, Apple Blossom Day, and the Then and Now Festival. Also organizes fundraisers and public programs to engage residents in local history.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advocacy for community sustainabilityJoined a coalition of local organizations in signing a sustainability pledge as part of Red Hook Together’s effort to achieve Certified Audubon Sustainable Community designation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$129K
Contributions & grants$63K49%
Program service revenue$18K14%
Investment income$8K7%
Other revenue$39K
expenses
Total expenses$144K
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$37K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$706K
Cash$98K
Investments$189K
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$698K
Liquid reserves23.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +32.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELISABETH TATUM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $33K |
board members · 10
- AMANDA S BODIAN — 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
- BETH GOLDBERG — SECRETARY
- BRENT KOVALCHIK — TRUSTEE
- DEB PAVLICH — TRUSTEE
- DIANE GOETZ — TRUSTEE
- JIM HASKIN — TREASURER
- KRISTIN LUKS — TRUSTEE
- PIETER ESTERSOHN — 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
- SKIP GRIFFITHS — TRUSTEE
- THEA BURGESS — PRESIDENT
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Bard College Government — Connection through board member David “Skip” Griffiths, whose father served as Director of Buildings and Grounds at Bard College, located in the Red Hook area.
- Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty Partner — Provided Matterport 3D tour of the Elmendorph Inn for public viewing.
- Community organizations Partner — Partners with community organizations to support programming and engagement.
- Dutchess County Government — Collaborates with Dutchess County Historian on public history presentations
- Elisabeth Tatum Partner — Director of Historic Red Hook, involved in personal meetings to explore contributions of ideas, skills, or support.
- Elmendorph Inn Partner — Historic Red Hook supports the preservation and community use of the Elmendorph Inn.
- Greater Hudson Heritage Network Funder — Provided a Collections Care Grant to Historic Red Hook
- Oblong Books Partner — Collaborates to feature book links on women in the American Revolution.
- Red Hook Together Partner — Collaborated with Historic Red Hook on a sustainability pledge to support the Certified Audubon Sustainable Community designation for the Town of Red Hook
- Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation Funder — Provided a Partnership Grant to Historic Red Hook
- Saltworks Interpretive Consulting Partner — Collaborated on the development of the Historic Site Interpretive Plan for the Elmendorph Inn.
- Seth Kramer Partner — Collaborated on the production of a community video.
- community organizations Partner — Partners with community organizations to support public programs and historical engagement.
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.
- Community-Engaged Historymethodology: community-engaged_historyBy combining archival work, historic site stewardship, and public programming with community input, the organization fosters deeper engagement in local history because shared ownership of the past strengthens collective identity and promotes inclusive storytelling.
- Immersive & Hands-On Historical Educationmethodology: hands-on_learningBy using real-time historical presentation, tactile materials, curriculum integration, and multisensory learning, the organization increases public understanding of history because experiential and contextual engagement deepens retention and relevance across age groups.
- Living Heritage Through Interpersonal Transmissionmethodology: cultural_transmission_of_historyBy treating history as a living, evolving narrative transmitted interpersonally and intergenerationally through shared meaning-making, the organization creates continuity between past and present because this relational model sustains cultural memory more effectively than passive dissemination alone.