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Reading Antiquarian Society

EIN 04-6116066 · Reading, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Maintaining the National Historic Register 1694 saltbox house called Parker Tavern and the lifestyle of the families and Town during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries by collecting preserving and presenting historical artifacts through programs and events.

Income
$23,208
Spending
$9,879
Spent on programs
16%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 (4)
  1. Reading 3rd grade students came to the Parker Tavern as a field trip. The tour includes information relevant to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in History and Social Science for Grade 3: Native Americans, Colonial lifestyle, land and environment.
  2. The Reading Antiquarian Society participated in a variety of Town-wide events: Arts Festival, Street Faire, Friends and Family Day. At each event we displayed various artifacts of life in Reading during the 17th to 19th centuries and educated visitors about the Parker Tavern and the Reading Antiquarian Society.
  3. Parker Tavern was open to the public, free of charge, for tours of the building and grounds every Sunday 2-5pm from the beginning of May to the end of October. New special exhibits were changed and presented during that time. For example: Farming in Reading; the Process of archiving new acquisitions; and Rev 250: maps and events and the new Colonial and Revolutionary markers in the Laurel Hill Cemetery.
  4. $1,588 spent. Even though the three largest program services incurred no expense, the general advertising and promotion, office expenses, and information technology spent during the year, allowed us to run the day-to-day operations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 November 6, 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 May 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 May 1964.

    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 November 4, 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.