Strafford Historical Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOUNDED IN 1955, THE MISSION OF THE STRAFFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO PRESERVE THE SITES, RECORDS, OBJECTS, AND RELATED MATERIALS PERTAINING TO THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF STRAFFORD FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND TO APPLY THE LESSONS OF HISTORY FOR THE SOLUTION AND BETTERMENT OF THE CURRENT AFFAIRS OF SAID TOWN.
- Income
- $178,604
- Spending
- $19,050
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 42.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 15
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 50 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $12,382 spent. THE STRAFFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONTINUES TO RENOVATE THE HISTORIC 120 YEAR OLD MASONIC TEMPLE THAT WAS PURCHASED IN 2021. BEFORE THE EXHIBITS, ARTIFACTS AND DISPLAYS OF EARLY LIFE IN STRAFFORD CAN BE MOVED INTO THE BUILDING, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS MUST BE MADE. CURRENT YEAR PROJECTS INCLUDED WEATHERPROOFING THE BASEMENT, INCLUDING THE INSTALLING OF A CONCRETE FLOOR; UPGRADING THE ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS; NEWLY PLASTERED FIRST FLOOR WALLS AND CEILINGS; ADDING HANDICAP PARKING AND ACCESS; AND A NEW CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ATTIC STORAGE AREA FOR FRAGILE ARCHIVES. THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY IN THE SPRING OF 2026.
- $4,608 spent. ALL OF THE MATERIALS THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE 2023 FLOODING HAVE BEEN RESTORED, THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE DARTMOUTH COLLEGE CONSERVATION LAB, AND HAVE BEEN RETURNED. THESE ITEMS, COLLECTIONS, AND FURNISHINGS ARE NOW STORED IN THE MASONIC HALL. THE SOCIETY BEGAN SENDING QUARTERLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS IN THE FALL OF 2024, IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL NEWSLETTER WHICH IS MAILED TO ALL MEMBERS. THE WEBSITE IS UPDATED PERIODICALLY WITH CONSTRUCION PHOTOS AND BLOG POSTS EXPLORING STRAFFORD'S PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS FROM THE PAST.
- $683 spent. CURRENT YEAR EVENTS INCLUDED WALKING TOURS OF STRAFFORD VILLAGE DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL. DURING THE TOURS, THE SHS HISTORIAN HIGHLIGHTS THE HISTORIES OF THE BUILDINGS LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE, BOTH PRESENT AND IN THE PAST, INCLUDING ANECDOTES ABOUT WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN THE VILLAGE. THE SOCIETY OFFERED ONE PROGRAM DURING THE YEAR, HELD IN THE UNFINISHED BUILDING, A FILM ABOUT THE RANSOM FAMILY FARM. THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING INCLUDED A DEMONSTRATION OF A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT, "HISTORY IN THE PRESENT". THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE A DIGITAL ARCHIVE OF EVENTS AND PEOPLE'S MEMORIES THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE IN A SMALL TOWN IN VERMONT CREATE COMMUNITY TODAY. AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, OVER THE SUMMER TWO STUDENT INTERNS BEGAN DOCUMENTING THE HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF COBURN'S STORE. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORAL HISTORY OF THE STORE CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED. CURRENT YEAR EVENTS INCLUDED WALKING TOURS OF STRAFFORD VILLAGE DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL. DURING THE TOURS, THE SHS HISTORIAN HIGHLIGHTS THE HISTORIES OF THE BUILDINGS LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE, BOTH PRESENT AND IN THE PAST, INCLUDING ANECDOTES ABOUT WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN THE VILLAGE. THE SOCIETY OFFERED ONE PROGRAM DURING THE YEAR, HELD IN THE UNFINISHED BUILDING, A FILM ABOUT THE RANSOM FAMILY FARM. THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING INCLUDED A DEMONSTRATION OF A NEW RESEARCH PROJECT, "HISTORY IN THE PRESENT". THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CREATE A DIGITAL ARCHIVE OF EVENTS AND PEOPLE'S MEMORIES THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE IN A SMALL TOWN IN VERMONT CREATE COMMUNITY TODAY. AS PART OF THIS PROJECT, OVER THE SUMMER TWO STUDENT INTERNS BEGAN DOCUMENTING THE HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF COBURN'S STORE. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORAL HISTORY OF THE STORE CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
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