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Duxbury Rural and Historical Society Inc

EIN 04-6109189 · Duxbury, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DUXBURY RURAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY (DRHS) STRIVES TO BE A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF OUR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, MUSEUM OBJECTS, ARCHIVES, AND LANDS. WE WELCOME ALL AUDIENCES TO LEARN ALONG WITH US, EXPLORE OUR COLLECTIONS, AND INTERPRET THE UNFOLDING, DIVERSE STORIES OF DUXBURY'S HISTORY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$699,395
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
5
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$121,746, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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)
  1. $337,828 spent. DRHS ACHIEVES ITS MISSION BY MAINTAINING FOUR HISTORIC HOUSE PROPERTIES, AN ARCHIVAL LIBRARY, MUSEUM COLLECTIONS, AND MORE THAN 150 ACRES OF LAND HELD IN CONSERVATION. THESE PROPERTIES, CAREFULLY PRESERVED AND MADE ACCESSIBLE BY DRHS, ARE PART OF THE HEART AND CHARACTER OF DUXBURY. DRHS IS A 501 C (3) NON-PROFIT DESIGNATED IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND ITS PROPERTIES ARE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. DRHS SERVES THE TOWN OF DUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS (16,000 RESIDENTS); PLYMOUTH COUNTY (542,000 RESIDENTS); AND PLYMOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL TOURISM (MORE THAN 1 MILLION ANNUALLY). AN AVERAGE OF 1,500 DUXBURY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN PER YEAR LEARN DUXBURY HISTORY THROUGH FREE ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING AND INTERNSHIPS.
  2. $80,302 spent. PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, A LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SCHOLARLY RESEARCH, AND OFFER ACTIVITIES TO THE DUXBURY COMMUNITY WHICH PROMOTE DUXBURY'S HISTORY.MOST DRHS PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC WITH A FEW MEMBER-BENEFIT EVENTS ON THE CALENDAR EACH YEAR. MANY ARE FREE OF CHARGE OR OFFERED FOR A "SUGGESTED DONATION." IN THE CASE OF TICKETED EVENTS, WE STRIVE TO KEEP OUR PRICES REASONABLE FOR THE PROGRAM BEING OFFERED.
  3. $78,870 spent. SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE HELD ON A YEARLY BASIS TO CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE DUXBURY'S HISTORY.DRHS MANAGES MORE THAN 50 MISSION-DRIVEN EVENTS EACH YEAR AT OUR DIFFERENT SITES. THESE DISPLAY ROTATING ITEMS FROM OUR COLLECTIONS AS WELL AS NEW RESEARCH THAT EXPANDS THE NARRATIVE OF LOCAL HISTORY. OUR TALKS ARE SELL-OUT EVENTS, AND VISITATION AT THE HOUSE MUSEUMS IS STRONG. DURING THE 2025 SUMMER SEASON, APPROXIMATELY 1,700 WALK-IN AND SCHEDULED VISITORS EXPERIENCED OUR EXHIBITS AND STORY-TELLING NARRATIVES AT THE NATHANIEL WINSOR JR., KING CAESAR, AND BRADFORD HOUSE MUSEUMS COMBINED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1942.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.