named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Happy History Hour
Monthly public education program offered free to the public, hosted around the county or at the museum, sponsored by community partners.
Museum of Wayne County History
Three-floor museum housed in the former county jail and sheriff’s residence, featuring exhibits on local military, industrial, and domestic history, including jail cells, a weaving room, and the Erie Canal.
Research Assistance Program
Members receive one hour of free research assistance annually; additional support available for a suggested donation, using the society’s collection of diaries, photos, and artifacts.
True Valor at Gettysburg Monument
A permanent bronze monument in Lyons Central Park honoring soldiers of the 111th Regiment from Wayne County who fought in the Civil War, particularly at Gettysburg; includes dedication events and educational programming.
Unlock Wayne County Podcast
Podcast series sharing local history stories, supported by sponsorships and available to the public.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Host educational programs and guided tours for public and student groupsOffers guided tours of all museum spaces, including the Carriage House, for individuals and groups of eight or more by appointment. Provides two-hour interactive educational tours for student groups at $3 per student, with free admission for teachers and chaperones. Also hosts monthly "Happy History Hour" programs and offsite educational events.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintain museum grounds and facilitiesPerforms landscaping, gardening, and general upkeep of museum grounds and buildings to ensure visitor safety and aesthetic presentation. Includes maintenance of historic structures such as the Carriage House and Old Wayne County Jail.
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Museum and Historical Gift Shops 1 activity
- Operate museum gift shop and manage retail salesRuns a gift shop selling retail products, both onsite and online, and provides members with a 10% discount on purchases. The shop supports outreach and engagement through branded merchandise and historical materials.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate museum with permanent and rotating exhibits on local historyOperates a multi-site museum including the "Big House," Carriage House, and Old Wayne County Jail, featuring permanent and rotating exhibits on military history, local commerce, pottery, glass, Indigenous peoples, women, children, agriculture, canal heritage, and 19th-century industrial life. The museum includes three floors of thematic displays and a two-story carriage house with 11 exhibits, including on farming and shipwrecks.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Plan and host public events and special programsOrganizes and hosts public events including monument dedication ceremonies, documentary screenings with Q&A sessions, annual member meetings, and themed exhibitions. Examples include the 2026 "True Valor" monument dedication with living history demonstrations and a screening of "Killer Angels" at the Ohmann Theatre.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Preserve and provide access to historical artifacts and archival materialsMaintains an extensive collection of historical objects, books, diaries, photographs, and artifacts from Wayne County, including original inmate artwork and graffiti from the 19th-century jail. Ensures long-term preservation and accessibility through organized storage, research assistance, and curated displays.
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Local History Publishing 1 activity
- Produce historical content and publicationsProduces and distributes the "Unlock History" newsletter, publishes articles on local military regiments and soldiers, and develops a database of Wayne County soldiers including names, photos, and service history. Also produces a podcast series titled "Unlock Wayne County" with sponsored episodes and advertisements.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Provide member benefits and engagement opportunitiesOffers members free admission during regular hours or by appointment, early invitations and discounted pricing for special events, one free hour of research assistance by appointment, and an annual free guided tour for members and their guests. Also provides voting rights at the annual member meeting.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conduct historical research on local topicsConducts and documents in-depth research on Wayne County history, including decades of information on sheriffs and criminals from the old county jail, and detailed studies of 19th-century military service, particularly the 111th regiment and Civil War soldiers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$232K
Contributions & grants$204K88%
Program service revenue$11K5%
Investment income$9K4%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$200K
Program expenses98%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$107K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$769K
Cash$227K
Investments$83K
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$766K
Liquid reserves18.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -54.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 8
- DOUGLAS TOPPING — BOARD MEMBER
- EDSON ENNIS — BOARD MEMBER
- JANE MILEM — BOARD MEMBER
- KATHLEEN MARSHALL — TREASURER
- PAM LEE — SECRETERY
- STEPHEN SKLENAR — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVE COLLWARD — VICE PRESIDE
- STEVEN HEALD — PRESIDENT
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Community Sponsors Partner — Local sponsors providing monetary and product donations to support museum operations, programming, and preservation efforts.
- Erie Canal Lock #27 Government — Located in close proximity to the museum, referenced as a nearby historic site associated with the county's infrastructure and tourism.
- Excelsior Coronet Band Partner — Performing live period music at the monument dedication event.
- Isaac Mullie Foundation Funder — Donated funds to support the "True Valor" monument and related events.
- Isaac Mullie Foundation Funder — Provided funding for the "True Valor" monument and related events through a donation to the Wayne County Historical Society.
- NARM Network — Participates in the North American Reciprocal Museums (NARM) program, offering reciprocal free admission and gift shop discounts to members of other participating institutions.
- NYS Dept. of Education Government — Chartered by the NYS Dept. of Education.
- North American Reciprocal Museum Association Partner — Offers reciprocal membership benefits through the NARM program, allowing members access to other cultural institutions.
- Steve Sklenar Partner — Former Wayne County Chief Deputy who researched and documented the history of Wayne County sheriffs and criminals.
- Unlock Wayne County Partner — Presents a podcast series in partnership with community sponsors, offering advertising and feature opportunities.
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.
- Free and Inclusive Access Increases Community Engagementmethodology: inclusive-education-outreachBy offering free public education programs and inclusive outreach to diverse student groups, the organization increases engagement with local history because removing financial and institutional barriers broadens participation and strengthens community ownership of shared heritage.
- Immersive and Interactive Interpretation Enhances Historical Learningmethodology: immersive-historical-exhibitsBy using immersive exhibits and interactive interpretation in historically preserved spaces, the organization makes local history tangible and engaging, because experiential learning increases public retention and emotional connection to the past.
- Preservation and Access Enable Public Understandingmethodology: preservation_and_accessBy preserving historical materials and making them systematically accessible, the organization fosters public understanding of local history because access to authentic artifacts and records deepens community connection and learning.