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Straus Historical Society
Smithtown, NY · EIN 134041199 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE A80 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · straushistoricalsociety.org
revenue
$152K
expenses
$121K
net assets
$575K
employees
1
volunteers
12
program ratio
70%
mission · from form 990

To preserve and interpret cultural and historical matters relating to the settlement of Jews in the United States, with a particular focus on the family of Lazarus and Sara Straus, and to educate a diverse public about their historical significance and contributions to American society.

profile · synthesized from sources

Straus Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of the Jewish-American Straus family, particularly their contributions to American society through business, public service, and philanthropy. The organization focuses on educating the public about family members including Isidor and Ida Straus of Titanic fame, Nathan Straus, and Oscar S. Straus. It produces newsletters, hosts educational presentations, and supports scholarship programs for students researching family-related topics.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Archival Preservation
Maintains and shares historical documents, letters, and photographs related to the Straus family through curated collections and digital access
Newsletter Publication
Produces biannual newsletters featuring historical articles, family stories, archival discoveries, and updates on Straus-related memorials and scholarship winners
Public Lecture Series
Hosts virtual and in-person presentations on Straus family history, often in partnership with institutions like the Center for Jewish History and Leo Baeck Institute
Straus Scholarship Program
Annual scholarship program recognizing student essays on topics related to the Straus family and their historical impact
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Historical and Genealogical Research 1 activity
    • Conduct genealogical and historical research on the Straus family
      Conducts original research on the Straus family and related American Jewish history, including Y-chromosome DNA analysis confirming familial links between the Moises Lazarus and Lazarus Straus lines with 99.9% certainty, and supports scholarly publications such as a biography on Nathan Straus.
  • Local History Publishing 1 activity
    • Disseminate historical knowledge through publications and media
      Publishes and sells books, newsletters, reports, and articles on Straus family history, including works by Isidor Straus and collections of letters, as well as annual scholarship winner essays, to educate the public and support historical preservation.
  • Disaster and Line-of-Duty Memorialization 1 activity
    • Host annual Titanic commemoration and legacy events
      Organizes an annual event commemorating the sinking of the Titanic, featuring historical presentations on the disaster and the role of Isidor and Ida Straus, including large-scale gatherings such as the 100th-anniversary commemoration in 2012 and the 20th-anniversary "From Macy's to Titanic" event.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Host educational events and presentations on Straus family history
      Organizes and delivers educational seminars, lectures, and virtual presentations on various aspects of the Straus family’s legacy, including their homes, estates, philanthropy, and connections to religious and civic institutions, at schools, libraries, museums, and community centers across the U.S.
  • Jewish and Cultural Heritage Archives 1 activity
    • Preserve and interpret Jewish settlement history with focus on the Straus family
      Preserves and interprets cultural and historical matters related to Jewish settlement in the United States, particularly the Lazarus and Sara Straus family and their descendants, through educational programming and public outreach.
  • Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
    • Produce and host cultural concerts in Straus Park
      Organizes public cultural events in Straus Park, including a Latin music concert featuring faculty from the Bloomingdale School of Music and an annual show tunes concert with vocal and piano performances of Broadway and popular songs.
  • Local History Archival Access 1 activity
    • Provide access to archival materials for researchers and students
      Maintains and provides access to a collection of photographs, artifacts, and documents related to the Straus family for use by researchers, authors, students, and educators upon written consent.
  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
    • Steward and maintain the Isidor and Ida Straus Memorial Park
      Manages and maintains Straus Park in New York City, preserving its infrastructure, cleanliness, and natural beauty, while hosting commemorative and community events year-round, including participation in memorial re-dedications and plaque installations.
  • Holocaust and Genocide Remembrance Education 1 activity
    • Support international Holocaust remembrance initiatives
      Participates in global efforts to preserve the memory of victims of Nazi persecution, including involvement in the installation of Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) in Frankfurt, Germany to honor Alice Mathilde Straus Loeb and Jakob Adolf Loeb.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$152K
Contributions & grants$140K93%
Program service revenue$4K2%
Investment income$8K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$121K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$76K
Grants paid out$25K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$617K
Cash$30K
Investments$579K
Liabilities$41K
Net assets$575K
Liquid reserves60.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +31.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Joan Adler Executive Director 40 $45K
board members · 13
  • Adam Straus — Director
  • Alexandra More — Director
  • David A Straus — Director
  • David Kahn — Chairman
  • David Kurzman — Director
  • Elizabeth Loop — Director
  • Jardena Gertler-Jaffe — Director
  • Lawrence Kahn — Treasurer
  • Mark Altschuler — Secretary
  • Michael H Buckner — Director
  • Richard Gerstman — Vice-Chairman
  • Richard K Straus Sr — Director
  • Warren Klein — Director
relationships · 31

Who they work with

  • American Jewish Historical Society Partner — Co-sponsored the event "From Macy's to the Titanic: The Straus Family Legacy."
  • American Jewish Historical Society Partner — Oscar S. Straus was a founder and president of the American Jewish Historical Society.
  • Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group Partner — Hosted a presentation on the Straus family’s connection to the Bloomingdale neighborhood.
  • Bloomingdale School of Music Partner — Collaborates with Friends of Straus Park to provide faculty musicians for concerts in the park.
  • Center for Jewish History Partner — Co-sponsored and hosted the event "From Macy's to the Titanic: The Straus Family Legacy."
  • Chicago Jewish Historical Society Partner — Co-hosted a presentation on the Greenebaum family’s history.
  • Facebook Partner — Platform used for outreach and communication by the Straus Historical Society.
  • Friends of Straus Park Partner — Co-hosted a memorial event in Straus Park on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster.
  • Friends of Straus Park Partner — Receives regular updates and collaborates on public programming and commemorative events.
  • Guides Association of New York City Partner — Hosted a presentation by the Straus Historical Society on the family and their monuments.
  • Hebrew University Partner — Nathan Straus supported the development of the Hebrew University.
  • Highland Park Public Library Partner — Hosted a presentation on the letters between Otto Frank and Nathan Straus Jr.
  • Historical Chattahoochee Commission Partner — Jointly hosted a presentation on the Straus family with the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum.
  • Instagram Partner — Platform used for outreach and communication by the Straus Historical Society.
  • Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois Partner — Co-hosted a presentation on the Greenebaum family’s history.
  • Kaufman family Partner — Historical business and familial partnership through marriage and joint operation of dry goods stores in Georgia during the 19th century.
  • Landmark West Partner — Co-hosted a memorial event in Straus Park on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster.
  • Leo Baeck Institute Partner — Co-hosted a virtual presentation on the Straus and Lehman families and their synagogue affiliations.
  • Linkedin Partner — Platform used for outreach and communication by the Straus Historical Society.
  • Macy's Partner — Jointly re-dedicated the Isidor and Ida Straus Memorial Plaque at Macy's Herald Square.
  • Middletown Historical Society Partner — Hosted a presentation on the Middletown estates of Percy and Herbert Straus.
  • Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague Government — Oscar S. Straus was a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.
  • Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum Partner — Jointly hosted a presentation on the Straus family with the Historical Chattahoochee Commission.
  • Rutgers University Partner — Collaborated on a podcast featuring discussion about Nathan Straus and his humanitarian work.
  • Suffolk YJCC Partner — Hosted a presentation on the history of the Straus family.
  • Temple Emanu-El Partner — Collaborated on a private event celebrating the congregation's 180th anniversary featuring Straus family artifacts.
  • The Educational Alliance Partner — Isidor Straus was a founder of The Educational Alliance in New York City.
  • The Greens at Half Hollow Partner — Hosted a presentation on the Straus family for its community members.
  • Twitter Partner — Platform used for outreach and communication by the Straus Historical Society.
  • Young Israel in North Netanya Partner — Hosted a presentation on Nathan Straus and his philanthropy in Israel.
+ 1 more
strategies · 4

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 Historical Stewardship
    methodology: community-engaged stewardship
    By combining physical preservation of the memorial site with year-round community programming, the organization sustains public engagement and meaning, because active use and communal participation reinforce historical significance across generations.
  • Family History as a Lens for National Narrative
    methodology: family-centered historical interpretation
    By centering the history of the Straus family, the organization interprets broader themes in American history and Jewish American experience, because personal and familial narratives make large historical forces more accessible and relatable to the public.
  • Genealogical Research Through Primary and Biological Sources
    methodology: genealogical_research_through_primary_sources
    By using both primary documents and Y-chromosome DNA testing, the organization verifies and reconstructs family lineages, because combining archival and genetic evidence produces more accurate and compelling genealogical narratives.
  • Past-Present Historical Engagement Model
    methodology: present-focused historical interpretation
    By connecting the Straus family’s history to contemporary issues, the organization provokes discussion and future-oriented thinking, because linking past and present fosters deeper public imagination and relevance of historical lessons.