named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Adults-Only Sunset Harbor Tour Aboard the Sloop Christeen
Two-hour evening cruise on a historic sloop offering insights into Oyster Bay’s maritime history and the Townsend family’s seafaring legacy.
Engaging with the Townsends: A Family Legacy of Civic Participation
60-minute program for 9th grade and above exploring the Townsend family’s involvement in early American democracy and the contradictions around enslavement and abolition.
Samuel Townsend: Colonial Merchant
Interactive 60-minute program for 2nd grade and above exploring Samuel Townsend's role as a merchant in transatlantic trade during the 1700s.
Spy Craft
60-minute program for 4th grade and above teaching historic spy techniques such as codes, ciphers, and invisible ink, based on real Revolutionary War spies.
Standing Where They Stood: Slavery and Freedom
90-minute program for 5th grade and above examining the history of slavery in New York and Long Island, focusing on enslaved individuals in Oyster Bay including Tom Gall and Jupiter Hammon.
The Townsends in the Revolution
90-minute program for 4th grade and above covering Samuel Townsend’s patriot activities, British occupation of Raynham Hall, and Robert Townsend’s role in the Culper Spy Ring.
We the People / Unfinished Revolutions / American Dream Exhibitions
Rotating community art exhibitions featuring local artists interpreting themes of democracy, revolution, and the American experience, serving as both cultural programming and fundraisers.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Host public lectures, author talks, and discussion programs on historical topicsHosts public lectures and events featuring historians, authors, and experts on topics such as the Queen's Rangers, Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe, and American intelligence, including co-presentations like "Under Cover: 250 Years of Spying in America" and book discussions with authors like Darley Newman.
- Provide educational programming on slavery and enslaved individuals in colonial New YorkOffers educational programs and public interpretation focused on the 19 enslaved African Americans held by the Townsend family and the broader history of slavery and freedom in New York and Long Island during the Revolutionary era, including dedicated school programs for 5th grade and above and interpretive tours.
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Historical and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Conduct historical research leading to scholarly discoveriesEngages in historical research that has led to significant discoveries, including the 2015 identification of a previously unknown poem by Jupiter Hammon, the first published African-American author.
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Museum-Based Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Deliver on-site, in-class, and virtual educational programs for studentsProvides age-specific educational programs for students from 2nd to 9th grade and above, covering Samuel Townsend’s role as a merchant, transatlantic trade, the American Revolution, the Culper Spy Ring, slavery in New York, and civic participation, delivered on-site, in classrooms, or virtually for teachers and students.
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Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Display and interpret Culper Spy Ring history and Revolutionary War espionageDisplays original correspondence from members of the Culper Spy Ring and offers educational programs, exhibitions, and guided tours that explore Revolutionary War espionage, including the roles of Robert Townsend and Nathan Hale, spy techniques like codes and invisible ink, and related historical context.
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Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Enhance visitor experience with augmented reality technologyProvides an augmented reality experience through the 1776AR app during self-guided tours to immerse visitors in the American Revolution and supplement physical exhibits with interactive digital content.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Offer guided and thematic public tours of Oyster Bay and maritime historyProvides a 2-hour, 1.5-mile guided walking tour of historic Oyster Bay highlighting colonial-era sites and offers adults-only sunset harbor tours aboard the historic sloop Christeen to educate participants about local maritime history.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate Raynham Hall Museum with period rooms and historical exhibitionsMaintains and operates the Raynham Hall Museum, including period rooms in a colonial house furnished with original Townsend family items and 18th–19th century furniture, and hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions such as "Road to Revolution," historical miniatures, toys and games, textiles, and the Culper Spy Ring. The museum is open for self-guided and guided tours on specific days and times.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Present art exhibitions and artist talks supporting museum initiativesOrganizes and presents art exhibitions such as the "We the People" call-for-artists exhibition, which features local artists’ interpretations of citizenship and democracy, and hosts free artist talks and public programs related to large-format public artworks, with proceeds from sales supporting museum initiatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$540K
Contributions & grants$430K80%
Program service revenue$55K10%
Investment income$94K17%
Other revenue$-39K
expenses
Total expenses$503K
Program expenses59%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$352K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.81M
Cash$364K
Investments$1.43M
Liabilities$0
Net assets$1.81M
Liquid reserves42.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -7.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARRIET GERARD CLARK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $79K |
board members · 21
- BARBARA ADELHARDT — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- CAROLYN MOTT — BOARD MEMBER
- CLAUDIA TAGLICH — FIRST VP
- COLETTE BUZZETTA — BOARD MEMBER (THRE JUNE 2025)
- DAVID BERMAN — SECOND VP
- DEAN YODER — PRESIDENT
- DR KAY HUTCHINS SATO — FOURTH VP (THRU JUNE 2025)
- DR RICHARD IVERSEN — BOARD MEMBER
- ELAINE PALMER — THIRD VP (THRU JUNE 2025)
- ELVIRE DANIELS — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIK KNUTSEN — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- JAMES MURPHY — LEGAL ADVISOR (THRU JUNE 2025)
- JAMIE ARTY — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- JOANNA BADAMI — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- JOHN BONIFACIO — SECRETARY
- JOHN COLLINS — SECRETARY (THRU JUNE 2025)
- JUNE B FISHER — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- KAREN J UNDERWOOD — BOARD MEMBER (THRU JUNE 2025)
- P BENJAMIN DUKE — LEGAL AFFAIRS
- REBECCA LAWTON FLATTERS — FIRST VP (THRU JUNE 2025)
- RICHARD SCHUSTER — TREASURER
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- 360XR Partner — Developed the 1776AR augmented reality app for the museum through a grant-funded collaboration.
- American Battlefield Trust Partner — Co-presented the American Revolution Experience exhibition at Raynham Hall
- American Battlefield Trust Partner — Collaborates on hosting the "American Revolution Experience" exhibition.
- Culper Spy Ring Partner — Interprets and presents the history of the Culper Spy Ring, a Revolutionary War intelligence network connected to the Townsend family.
- Gold Coast Forum Partner — Co-presents the public program "Under Cover: 250 Years of Spying in America."
- Jacob Townsend Partner — Co-owned a shipping business and operated ships jointly with Samuel Townsend.
- Justinne Lake-Jedzinak Partner — Contact person for booking school programs; serves as point of coordination for educational offerings.
- New-York Historical Society Partner — Collaborates on research, including the discovery of a Jupiter Hammon poem in its collection.
- Oyster Bay Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution Partner — Co-presented the American Revolution Experience exhibition at Raynham Hall
- Oyster Bay Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution Partner — Collaborates on hosting the "American Revolution Experience" exhibition.
- Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to support the development of the 1776AR augmented reality app.
- The WaterFront Center Partner — Collaborates with The WaterFront Center for cruise operations and late arrival coordination.
- Three Village Historical Society Partner — Collaborated on the development of the Historic Oyster Bay Walking Tour, contributing expertise on the Culper Spy Ring.
- Todd Braisted Partner — Invited speaker and historian for the Townsend Talk lecture series.
- Tom Mason Partner — Collaborates with artist Tom Mason to present a public talk on the creation of a large-format painting.
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.
- Contextualized Public History Programmingmethodology: collaborative-historical-programmingBy aligning educational programming with historical anniversaries, site-specific narratives, and community collaborations, the organization strengthens local relevance and historical accuracy because grounding content in specific temporal and communal contexts increases authenticity and public resonance.
- Critical Historical Engagement Through Artistic Interpretationmethodology: artistic_interpretation_of_national_themesBy hosting contemporary art exhibitions and artist talks that engage with historical themes and domestic contexts, the organization fosters public reflection on national ideals and artistic heritage because connecting past and present through creative practice deepens critical engagement with history.
- Immersive Historical Interpretationmethodology: immersive_educationBy using narrative-driven, experiential methods such as augmented reality, historic vessel excursions, and interactive storytelling, the organization makes Revolutionary War history tangible and engaging because immersive experiences increase public understanding and emotional connection to historical events.
- Standards-Aligned Experiential Learning for Studentsmethodology: standards-aligned educationBy delivering interactive, curriculum-aligned school programs led by trained educators, the organization ensures academic integration and student engagement because linking museum experiences to formal education standards increases institutional adoption and learning outcomes.