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SODUS BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SODUS POINT, NY · EIN 222542224 · Form 990 · FY2025 · Small ($100K-$1M) · sodusbaylighthouse.org
revenue
$120K
expenses
$142K
net assets
$359K
employees
5
volunteers
75
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN A HISTORICAL LIGHTHOUSE AND MUSEUM

profile · synthesized from sources

The Sodus Bay Historical Society operates the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum in Sodus Point, New York, preserving and sharing the maritime and community history of the region. It maintains the historic 1871 lighthouse and offers educational exhibits, public events, and cultural programming. The organization serves local residents and tourists through museum visits, concerts, artisan festivals, and private events.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

5K Run & Walk
Annual fundraising foot race held in conjunction with the museum's seasonal events
Golf Tournament
Annual fundraising golf event supporting museum programs and operations
Lighthouse Concert Series
Free, family-friendly summer music series held on the museum grounds featuring local and regional performers
Sodus Point Lighthouse Artisan Festival
Juried fine art and craft festival showcasing original work by regional artists in mediums including painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and fiber
Storytelling Series
Community events at the Sodus Point Village Hall featuring local history presentations and open storytelling about Sodus Bay
Weddings and Private Events
Hosts weddings, family gatherings, and special celebrations on the historic lighthouse grounds
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for historic preservation and recognition
      Secured the listing of the Sodus Bay Lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places, demonstrating active advocacy for the recognition and preservation of the site.
  • Artist Marketplace Operations 1 activity
    • Hosts annual artisan festival and cultural fairs
      Organizes a juried artisan festival and Artisan Faire on the museum grounds, featuring original works in painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, fiber, and other media by local and regional artists.
  • Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
    • Hosts private and wedding events at the lighthouse
      Operates the Sodus Bay Lighthouse and Museum as a venue for private events including small wedding ceremonies, family gatherings, and special celebrations, with documented wedding events held on-site.
  • Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
    • Hosts public events and concerts at the lighthouse
      Organizes and hosts a free Lighthouse Concert Series featuring ten annual performances by regional orchestras and bands on the lighthouse lawn, along with other public concerts and community events such as storytelling nights and Shipwreck Weekend.
  • Membership Program Administration 1 activity
    • Offers membership and member benefits
      Provides tiered membership options including individual, family, student, senior, military, and patron levels, offering benefits such as free admission, newsletters, voting rights, discounts, access to over 1,300 cultural institutions, private tours, and exclusive events.
  • Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 1 activity
    • Operates the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum
      Preserves and maintains the Sodus Bay Lighthouse and operates it as a museum, offering seasonal public visitation, exhibits on local maritime history, the Underground Railroad, and Lake Ontario heritage, and access to the beacon. The site welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually, with estimates ranging from over 8,000 to over 20,000 per year.
  • Charity Golf Tournament Fundraiser 1 activity
    • Organizes annual fundraising events
      Plans and hosts annual fundraising events including a Golf Tournament and 5K Run/Walk to support the operations and sustainability of the Historical Society.
  • Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
    • Preserves and catalogs local historical artifacts
      Engages volunteers in cataloging and preserving a collection of local historical artifacts and documents to support the historical record of Sodus Bay and its maritime heritage.
  • Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
    • Provides volunteer-led tours and educational programming
      Trains and deploys volunteer docents to lead tours and educational programs for visitors of all ages, including school groups, and supports a volunteer-based welcome program that assists guests with exhibits, the museum store, and access to the lighthouse.
  • Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
    • Supports organizational leadership and professionalization
      Appointed a new Executive Director to advance organizational professionalization and long-term sustainability, reflecting a commitment to capacity building.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Restored and returned the original Fresnel lens to the lighthouse
      Completed the restoration and reinstallation of the original Fresnel lens in the Sodus Bay Lighthouse, enhancing the historical authenticity and educational value of the site.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$120K
Contributions & grants$68K57%
Program service revenue$21K18%
Investment income$4K3%
Other revenue$27K
expenses
Total expenses$142K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$93K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$355K
Cash$89K
Investments$55K
Liabilities$-4K
Net assets$359K
Liquid reserves12.1 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -30.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 10
  • BOB LEGGE — TRUSTEE
  • DARLEEN CONTARIO — TRUSTEE
  • DAVE FANTUZZO — TRUSTEE
  • DAVE MCDOWELL — VICE PRESIDE
  • FRED LINDENHOVIUS — TREASURER
  • HARRISON VANDEWALLE — TRUSTEE
  • HELEN DUNLAP — PRESIDENT
  • LISAMARIE DEFEO — TRUSTEE
  • MARTHA LIGHTFOOT — TRUSTEE
  • MICHAEL COLLINS — TRUSTEE
relationships · 9

Who they work with

  • Auburn Public Theater Funder — Generous supporter enabling the Lighthouse Concert Series
  • CAMM (Council of American Maritime Museums) Network — Participates in the CAMM network to provide reciprocal admission benefits to members at over 90 maritime museums across North America.
  • Giuseppina's Partner — Provides hors d'oeuvres for a members-only preview event at the festival.
  • Mary Partner — Newly appointed Executive Director contributing to organizational leadership and sustainability
  • NARM (North American Reciprocal Museums) Network — Member of NARM, offering patrons free admission to over 1,300 arts and history museums and cultural institutions in six countries.
  • SBHS Board of Trustees Partner — Board provides leadership and commitment in advancing the organization's mission.
  • Silver Waters Wine Partner — Provides wine for a members-only preview event at the festival.
  • Sodus Point Village Hall Partner — Co-hosts storytelling series events with the Sodus Bay Historical Society.
  • Town of Sodus Government — Received ownership of the lighthouse from the Town of Sodus in 1984.
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.

  • Community-Engaged Preservation and Education
    methodology: community-engaged-education
    By involving community members as volunteer docents and participants in storytelling events, the organization deepens public connection to local history, enhances educational impact, and sustains engagement because shared ownership fosters lasting stewardship.
  • Direct Stewardship of Historical Assets
    methodology: direct_stewardship
    By directly maintaining and preserving a lighthouse and museum, the organization ensures the continuity of local maritime heritage because physical preservation is foundational to education and public interpretation.
  • Free Cultural Programming to Broaden Access
    methodology: community-engagement-through-free-culture
    By offering free public concerts, the organization removes financial barriers to cultural participation, strengthening community ties and increasing engagement because inclusive access builds trust and broadens reach.
  • Historic Site Interpretation as Public Engagement
    methodology: historic-site-interpretation
    By operating a lighthouse museum and using its historic and scenic qualities for events and festivals, the organization promotes public engagement and education because immersive, place-based experiences make heritage more accessible and memorable.
  • Reciprocal Membership Network for Cultural Access
    methodology: reciprocal_membership_network
    By participating in reciprocal membership networks (CAMM/NARM), the organization increases member value and engagement because access to a broader network of cultural institutions incentivizes local membership and strengthens institutional sustainability.