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HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE TONAWANDAS INC

TONAWANDA, NY · EIN 237131664 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · Micro (<$100K) · tonawandashistory.org

revenue

$71K

expenses

$41K

net assets

$370K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

THE SOCIETYS PURPOSE IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE AND EXHIBIT ARTIFACTS AND RECORDS RELATING TO THE HISTORY OF TONAWANDA AND NORTH TONAWANDA. TO PROVIDE A LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES AND PUBLISH DOCUMENTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Historical Society of the Tonawandas collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and records related to the history of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda in Western New York. The organization operates three sites: the Twin Cities Heritage Center, the Benjamin Long Homestead, and a Research Center, offering public tours, educational programs, and research access. Run entirely by volunteers, it relies on membership dues and donations to support its preservation and outreach efforts.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Heritage Partner Sites

Collaborative display program placing Society artifacts in public spaces such as North Tonawanda City Hall and Library to increase community access

Homestead Open for Tours

Docent-led public tours of the Benjamin Long Homestead, a restored 1829 log home on the Erie Canal, offering insight into 19th-century life in the Tonawandas

Research Center Access

Public research facility open Mondays and Thursdays, housing archival collections, photographs, and historical documents for local history research

Twin Cities Heritage Center

Museum at 113 Main Street in Tonawanda featuring interactive displays, artifacts, and historical exhibits in a renovated 1886 railroad station

Warrior Walk

Guided evening walking tours held from June to August, exploring local history at sites such as Kohler Pool and St. Francis Cemetery

activities · 7 groups

What they do

Local History Archival Access 2 activities
- Preservation and curation of historical artifacts and records
  
  Collects, catalogs, organizes, and preserves historical, cultural, and natural objects, including manuscripts, photographs, recordings, and personal artifacts related to the history of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. Ongoing inventory and cataloging projects are conducted at the Research Center and supported by archival work such as transcription and indexing.
- Public access to historical collections and research support
  
  Provides public access to its library, archives, and research facilities on a regular schedule, offering research assistance and historical information to visitors. Makes collections available online via PastPerfect Web Edition and supports personal, educational, or non-commercial use of historical images and text.
Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
- Community historical exhibitions and outreach displays
  
  Maintains rotating and permanent display cases at community locations including North Tonawanda and Tonawanda City Halls, public libraries, and Niawanda Park as part of the Heritage Partnership Program launched in 2002. Exhibits highlight local history, the Erie Canal, schools, and regional manufacturers.
Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 1 activity
- Maintenance of veterans monuments and memorial garden
  
  Maintains a Civil War veterans monument and a garden with stone markers honoring World War I veterans on its grounds.
Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operation of museum and historic sites
  
  Operates the Twin Cities Heritage Center in the former New York Central train station and maintains the Long Homestead, a restored 1829 log home opened to the public in 1980. Facilities include renovated museum spaces with new media displays, interactive screens, and updated accessibility features such as restrooms and entrances.
Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Public educational programs and guided tours
  
  Hosts monthly educational programs, guided tours of the Long Homestead for individuals, families, and school groups, docent-led tours, Victorian teas, and special events. Offers guided evening walks and seasonal programs connecting local landmarks to community history.
Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication of historical materials and newsletters
  
  Prepares, produces, and distributes documents of historical interest, including the monthly newsletter The Lumber Shover, which is published ten times annually and features program information, artifact articles, historical stories, and photo supplements.
Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and operational support
  
  Invites and relies on volunteers to support operations, programs, and maintenance at the Heritage Center and other facilities.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2025

revenue

Total revenue$71K

Contributions & grants$48K68%

Program service revenue$00%

Investment income$4K6%

Other revenue$7K

expenses

Total expenses$41K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits—

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$391K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$370K

5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -2.7%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 6

ARTHUR PAPAS — TRUSTEE
BONNIE BUGBEE — TRUSTEE
FREDERICK HAMP — TRUSTEE
JOE MIDURA — TRUSTEE
JOHN SHERMAN — TRUSTEE
THOMAS SYMERS — TRUSTEE

relationships · 12

Who they work with

Canisius College Partner — Facilitated the Historical Society's acquisition of the Research Center building.
City of Tonawanda Government — Co-restored the Long Homestead and currently owns the site while the Historical Society operates it.
City of Tonawanda Government — Leases the museum building at 113 Main Street to the Historical Society of the Tonawandas.
City of Tonawanda Government — Owns the Heritage Center and Long Homestead properties, which are managed by the Historical Society.
City of Tonawanda Government — Partnered with the City in the meticulous restoration of the Homestead.
Heritage Partner sites Partner — Maintains historical displays at various Heritage Partner sites throughout the Twin Cities.
Niawanda Park – Pilozzi Pavilion Partner — Hosts three wall cases displaying items from the history of Tonawanda.
North Tonawanda City Hall Partner — Hosts a display case featuring artifacts from Fleuron, a historical manufacturer in North Tonawanda.
North Tonawanda Public Library Partner — Hosts four display cases dedicated to the history of North Tonawanda Schools.
Tonawanda City Hall Partner — Hosts a display case featuring model boats from the society's collection.
Tonawanda Public Library Partner — Hosts a display case dedicated to the history of the Erie Canal.
tonahist@gmail.com Partner — Email service provider used for communication with members and the public

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.

Comprehensive Historical Preservation

methodology: comprehensive_historical_preservation
By systematically collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and publishing historical materials, the organization ensures sustained public access to and understanding of local history, because integrated programming strengthens community memory and engagement over time.
Curated and Controlled Collection Stewardship

methodology: curated_collection
By prioritizing historical relevance and quality in accepting donations and providing access under controlled conditions, the organization ensures the integrity and educational value of its collections, because selective curation and responsible access protect cultural heritage while supporting research and learning.
Immersive Historic Interpretation

methodology: historic-site-interpretation
By using period-furnished rooms, historic structures, and guided tours to create immersive experiences, the organization fosters public engagement with 19th-century life along the Erie Canal, because experiential learning deepens historical understanding more than passive observation.
Strategic Community Partnerships

methodology: community-partnership-exhibits
By acquiring facilities through relationships with educational institutions and private owners and placing exhibits in community institutions, the organization expands access to historical materials, because collaborative partnerships extend reach and preserve heritage beyond institutional walls.
Volunteer-Driven Organizational Model

methodology: volunteer-driven_operations
By relying on volunteers to manage operations, maintain collections, and support visitor services, the organization sustains its programming and expands capacity, because community-based stewardship strengthens both institutional resilience and public ownership of local history.