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research dossier

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC

TARRYTOWN, NY · EIN 131790735 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A82Z · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · thehistoricalsociety.net
revenue
$504K
expenses
$85K
net assets
$935K
employees
1
program ratio
97%
mission · from form 990

MAINTAIN AND HOUSE ARTIFACTS, LITERATURE AND OTHER VARIOUS ITEMS PERTAINING TO THE HISTORIES OF THE VILLAGES OF TARRYTOWN AND SLEEPY HOLLOW.

profile · synthesized from sources

Historical society founded in 1889 dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York. Operates a museum and research library at the Jacob Odell House, offering educational programs, exhibits, and archival services. Serves residents, scholars, students, and visitors interested in local history, with a focus on cultural heritage and historical preservation.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Educational Programs
Offers lectures, exhibits, and school programs focused on the history of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, including Washington Irving's birthday celebration and local Black history essays.
Museum Exhibits
Hosts permanent, changing, and traveling exhibits at the Jacob Odell House, including recent displays on 150 years of Sleepy Hollow’s evolution.
Preservation Advocacy
Recognizes local preservation efforts through annual awards and promotes the protection of historical and architectural heritage in the community.
Research Services
Provides access to library and archives for local historical research; staff and volunteers conduct research for individuals unable to visit in person for a fee.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Local History Preservation and Education 3 activities
    • Collecting and preserving historical artifacts and archives
      Collects, preserves, and maintains historic artifacts and archival materials related to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, including fine and decorative arts, archaeological objects, manuscripts, maps, photographs, costumes, weaponry, books, newspapers, directories, and oral histories. These collections document Native American settlements, colonial-era structures, the capture of Major John Andre, the Millionaires Colony, early automobile companies, and other significant local developments.
    • Conducting historical research and archaeological projects
      Conducts ongoing research and archaeological projects focused on the history of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, including studies of local settlements, historic events, and material culture. This includes both internal research initiatives and public-facing publications.
    • Preserving and promoting the legacy of Washington Irving
      Preserves and interprets the cultural and historical legacy of Washington Irving, including his residence in Tarrytown, his burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and his literary work _The Legend of Sleepy Hollow_. Promotes awareness of associated characters and landmarks.
  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocating for historic preservation
      Identifies and supports the recognition of historic landmarks in the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow area, contributing to broader preservation efforts. Recognizes community members for preservation work, such as honoring Thomas Mitchell for organizing African American oral histories.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Conducting educational programs and public lectures
      Hosts lectures, guided tours, and educational programs for the public and school groups. Offers group tours for up to 25 people by arrangement with the Curator. Educational content includes local Black history, as seen in a published essay series by Roger Glass.
  • Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
    • Fundraising through ticketed events
      Generates financial support for museum operations, collections care, archives, library services, and educational programming through ticket sales at public events such as the annual Strawberry Festival.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Operating a museum and research library
      Operates a public museum and research library at the Jacob Odell House in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, open on Thursdays and Saturdays with additional hours by appointment. The facility houses permanent, rotating, and traveling exhibits on local history, including current displays focused on the 1960s and a 150-year timeline of North Tarrytown to Sleepy Hollow.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Organizing community events and festivals
      Hosts annual community events including the Strawberry Festival, which features live entertainment by local musicians, strawberry shortcake, beverages, and traditional activities. Also hosts a birthday celebration for Washington Irving featuring storytelling and cake. These events serve as fundraisers and community engagement opportunities.
  • Local History Archival Access 1 activity
    • Providing public access to research resources
      Offers research services to individuals unable to visit in person, conducted by staff and volunteers for a fee. Makes photograph collections and archival materials available to researchers through a formal process for requesting copies.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$504K
Contributions & grants$494K98%
Program service revenue$1K0%
Investment income$9K2%
Other revenue$222
expenses
Total expenses$85K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$30K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$939K
Cash$100K
Investments$648K
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$935K
Liquid reserves105.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +211.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 7
  • DAWN KRISS — TRUSTEE
  • ELIOT MARTONE — TRUSTEE
  • JV COSSABOOM — TRUSTEE
  • MARY ANN MARSHALL — TRUSTEE
  • MICHELLE ANDRUSS — TRUSTEE
  • MORGAN RIDLER — TRUSTEE
  • RICHARD ROWE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 9

Who they work with

  • Christ Church San Marcos Partner — Co-presented a joint program celebrating Washington Irving's birthday.
  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share content and engage with the public.
  • Grape Expectations Partner — Provided wine and spirits for the Preservation Award & Wine Tasting Fundraiser event.
  • Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to share content and engage with the public.
  • Metro North Partner — Provides rail access to the museum via the Tarrytown Station; referenced for visitor transportation.
  • Old Dutch Church Partner — Collaborates with or references the Old Dutch Church as a key historical site tied to the community's heritage and Washington Irving's writings.
  • The Historical Society, Inc. Network — Member of a network of historical organizations serving Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
  • YouTube Partner — Uses YouTube to host and share videos about local history.
  • other local historical societies and organizations Partner — Cooperates with other local historical societies and organizations on shared initiatives.
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.

  • Cultural Preservation for Community Identity
    methodology: cultural_preservation_for_community_identity
    By preserving local history, artifacts, and narratives, the organization sustains the character and identity of communities because shared historical memory strengthens collective belonging and continuity across generations.
  • Integrated Historical Preservation and Education
    methodology: integrated historical preservation and education
    By combining research, education, and preservation of historical materials, the organization advances public understanding of local history because experiential and scholarly engagement deepens community connection and knowledge retention.