named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Cemeteries Restoration Project
Undertakes ongoing restoration of headstones and documentation of histories for veterans and notable citizens buried in local cemeteries, including Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans.
Century Homes & Century Landmarks Program
Recognizes and documents historic homes and properties in the Akron-Newstead area that are over 100 years old, awarding Century Home and Landmark designations.
Free Public Programs
Hosts free public lectures and presentations at the Newstead Town Hall on historical topics, including Revolutionary War history and local heritage.
Knight-Sutton Museum & Research Center
Operates a museum and research room with permanent and annual themed exhibits on Akron-Newstead history, including "Moments in Time" and rotating special exhibits such as "We, the People."
Rich-Twinn Octagon House Tours
Offers "Highlights of the Octagon" semi-guided tours and private group tours of the 1857 octagon house, restored to its 1870s appearance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Special Events
Organizes annual events such as Heritage Day, featuring open-fire cooking demonstrations and historical crafts, in conjunction with national commemorations like the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Local History Preservation and Education 3 activities
- Curating permanent and special historical exhibitsCurates and maintains the permanent exhibit "Moments in Time" at the Knight-Sutton Museum showcasing local history, and produces annual special exhibits such as the 2026 "We, the People" exhibit honoring Revolutionary War veterans from the area.
- Historical collections acquisition and managementAccepts and manages donations of historical artifacts with connections to Akron, Newstead, or Western New York for inclusion in its permanent collections.
- Historical research and documentationDocuments and preserves local history through research, including the donation of land and materials for Akron Falls Park by L.H. Sutton in the 1930s.
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Historic Site Public Programming 2 activities
- Community historical events and commemorationsOrganizes and hosts annual public events such as Heritage Day at the Rich-Twinn Octagon House, featuring crafts and historical traditions, and conducts ceremonies at Maple Lawn Cemetery to honor Revolutionary War veterans buried there.
- Public lectures and educational programmingHosts annual free public lectures and programs on local, regional, and national historical topics, including events such as "Lexington and Concord," "Pioneer Patriots," and the history of the White House and the Pan-American Exposition, held at venues such as the Rich-Twinn Octagon House and Newstead Town Hall.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 2 activities
- Private and group tours of Rich-Twinn Octagon HouseProvides private and group tours of the Rich-Twinn Octagon House, lasting approximately 75 minutes, with pricing structured according to group size.
- Public tours of Rich-Twinn Octagon HouseOffers semi-guided public tours of the Rich-Twinn Octagon House on the first and third Sundays of each month from mid-April through October. These tours are approximately 75 minutes long and available to the general public, with free admission for members.
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Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocacy for local landmark designationDesignated Hy-Wynne Farms and the Sutton family home as Century Landmark #12 through advocacy efforts to recognize and preserve historically significant sites.
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Cemetery Preservation and Maintenance Funding 1 activity
- Cemeteries restoration and veteran memorialization projectConducts an ongoing cemeteries restoration project launched in 2016 to repair, clean, and replace damaged headstones of veterans and notable citizens from Akron and Newstead, including those from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, while documenting their histories.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Historical preservation and restoration of propertiesEngages in the restoration and ongoing maintenance of historic properties including the Rich-Twinn Octagon House, which was restored to its original floor plan and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, and supports structural preservation through sponsor funding.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operation of Knight-Sutton Museum and Research CenterOperates the Knight-Sutton Museum and Research Center seasonally from mid-April through October, open on the first and third Sundays and Wednesdays each month, featuring permanent and rotating exhibits with free admission.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and managementEngages volunteers as docents, greeters, gardeners, and archival assistants to support operations at the Rich-Twinn Octagon House and Knight-Sutton Museum.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$65K
Contributions & grants$47K73%
Program service revenue$5K8%
Investment income$3K4%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$47K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$898K
Cash$116K
Investments$87K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$898K
Liquid reserves51.8 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +29.2%
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Erie County Historical Federation Government — Chartered the Newstead Historical Society in 1958.
- Hy-Wynne Farms Partner — Collaborates on the preservation and recognition of the Sutton family property as a historic landmark.
- Knight-Sutton Museum Partner — Co-manages historical collections and offers joint access to museum sites with the Newstead Historical Society.
- Lucille Twinn Partner — Former owner from whom the Newstead Historical Society purchased the Rich-Twinn Octagon House in 1981.
- Newstead Town Hall Partner — Hosts the Newstead Historical Society's annual free public programs in the Village of Akron.
- Not specified Partner — Corporate sponsors supporting the upkeep of two museums in 2026
- Sutton family Partner — Works with the historical society to document and preserve the history of their family home and farm.
- Town of Newstead Government — Chartered the Newstead Historical Society in 1958.
- Village of Akron, NY Government — Chartered the Newstead Historical Society in 1958.
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-Engaged Stewardship Modelmethodology: community-supported preservationBy integrating membership support, volunteer involvement, and community recognition programs (e.g., Century Home markers), the organization sustains preservation efforts because community ownership increases long-term engagement and resource mobilization for local heritage.
- Historical Authenticity Preservationmethodology: historical-authenticity-preservationBy restoring and maintaining historic structures like the Rich-Twinn Octagon House according to original specifications and historical integrity standards, the organization preserves cultural heritage because authenticity strengthens educational value and public connection to the past.