named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Archival Research and Records Maintenance
Preservation and interpretation of historical records, including church documents and family histories of early settlers
Community Events and Public Engagement
Hosts events such as the Penny Social, yard sales, and street fairs to engage the public and raise funds for preservation efforts
Historic Building Restoration
Restoration of historic structures including the 1915 Erie Station and its porte-cochère, using traditional masonry techniques and volunteer labor
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Local History Preservation and Education 2 activities
- Preservation of historical sites and collectionsAcquires, restores, and preserves historical buildings, documents, artifacts, and oral history recordings related to Chester, New York. This includes maintaining permanent records of deaccessioned items and documentation such as deeds of gift, accession forms, and conservation reports.
- Public exhibitions and educational programmingMounts public exhibits such as "Chester in the Revolution" and "What We've Lost," and presents educational programs including slide shows, videos, live presentations, and publications like newsletters and collection guides for school children and community organizations.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Community events and fundraising activitiesHosts annual fundraising events including yard sales, penny socials, Christmas tree lighting, raffles, and themed events such as "Raise the Roof" and "Mules, Mountains & Movies" to support operations and engage the community.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operation of public museum and archivesOperates the 1915 Erie Station as a local history museum and maintains an office and archive open to the public on Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and seasonally from June to October. Offers access to collections of artifacts, photographs, newspapers, and recorded oral histories.
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Regular Membership Meetings 1 activity
- Regular organizational meetingsHosts monthly business meetings on the second Thursday of each month and annual meetings that include presentations, reports, and member recognition.
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Public Document Services 1 activity
- Research and reproduction servicesProvides photocopy and electronic scanning services for research, personal, or educational use, with fee-based pricing for loose sheets and documents up to letter size.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$17K
Contributions & grants$1K8%
Program service revenue$2301%
Investment income$2K11%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$13K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$51K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$51K
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +18.0%
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Bob McCue Partner — Invited speaker who presented at a society event on August 12, 2018.
- Chester Fire Department Partner — Collaborated with the Society to install new lights on a community tree in November 2019.
- Chester Parks & Rec. Partner — Co-hosted the August Downtown Concert Series in front of the 1915 Erie Station on August 7, 2016.
- Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Network — Hosts the Chester Historical Society Endowment Fund and facilitates donations.
- Goodsearch.com Partner — Online platform partner that donates to the Chester Historical Society when users shop or search through their site.
- Hudson River Valley Heritage Network — Member organization contributing to or participating in the Hudson River Valley Heritage website for access to regional historical materials.
- NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Government — Receives a copy of the Collection Management Policy as part of the Chartering Program; policy developed in accordance with its recommendations and regulations.
- New York State Board of Regents Government — Chartered the Chester Historical Society as a nonprofit education corporation.
- Song of the Valley Sweet Adelines Partner — Performed at the Chester Historical Society during the December 10, 2017 tree lighting event
- Staples.com Partner — Corporate partner in a recycling fundraiser for cell phones, pagers, and inkjet/toner cartridges.
- Sugar Loaf Methodist Church Partner — Collaborates with the Chester Historical Society in preserving historical artifacts, as evidenced by the transfer of a gravestone for safekeeping.
- Tri-States Railway Preservation Society Partner — Exchanged society t-shirts with the Chester Historical Society during an official visit on May 7, 2016.
- VOCA Partner — Co-presents the sidewalk chalk drawing festival with the Chester Historical Society.
- Village of Chester Government — Shares office access timing with Village of Chester offices, which are co-located or jointly administered.
- Warwick Historical Society Partner — Collaborated by loaning a circa 1915 dress for an exhibit
strategies · 2
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 Education and Engagement through Exhibits and Eventsmethodology: community_educationBy using curated exhibits, public presentations, educational programming, and arts events, the organization fosters public understanding of local history because immersive, accessible formats increase community interest and participation in shared heritage.
- Historical Preservation through Restoration and Stewardshipmethodology: historical_preservationBy acquiring, restoring, and maintaining historical buildings, documents, and oral histories, the organization preserves local heritage because these materials are essential to collective memory and community identity; professional stewardship ensures long-term preservation of public trust collections through environmental control, security, and disaster preparedness.