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New Canaan Historical Society

EIN 06-0727288 · New Canaan, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NEW CANAAN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS A CULTURAL INSTITUTION THAT FOCUSES ON PRESERVATION, MODERNISM, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY. THROUGH EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, LIBRARY SERVICES AND EVENTS, WE CELEBRATE HISTORY AND EXPLORE ITS ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$810,462
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
19.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
6
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$151,350, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1631% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (1)
  1. $509,593 spent. THE SOCIETY'S DAILY OPERATIONS ENCOMPASS MANY DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES:THE SOCIETY MAINTAINS AND OPERATES NEW CANAAN'S FIRST TOWN HALL (1825), NOW EXPANDED TO HOUSE A LIBRARY AND VAULT WITH DOCUMENTS, GENEALOGIES, ART ARTIFACTS, AS WELL AS THE SILLIMAN-MONROE-CODY DRUG STORE MUSEUM (1846) AND AN EXTENSIVE CLOTHING AND TEXTILE COLLECTION; THE HANFORD-SILLIMAN HOUSE MUSEUM (C.1764); THE RODGERS STUDIO MUSEUM (1878); THE TOOL MUSEUM AND NINETEENTH -CENTURY PRINTING OFFICE; THE ROCK SCHOOL (1799); OFF CAMPUS THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE (1855), AND THE MID-CNETURY MODERN GORES PAVILLION (1960). IT OPERATES A RESEARCH LIBRARY; A FULL SCHEDULE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS; A PLAQUING PROGRAM FOR HISTORIC HOMES; PUBLICATIONS ON NEW CANAAN'S HISTORY. IT HAS THREE GALLERY SPACES AND PUTS ON EXHIBITIONS IN EACH OF THOSE VENUES. IT RUNS PROGRAMS , EVENTS AND LECTURES. THE LARGEST PROGRAMS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/5 WERE: 1. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN REGARDING THE HISTORY OF NEW CANAAN 2. TOURS OF OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND PERMANENT EXHIBITS FOR BOTH ADULTS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN 3. SPECIAL TEMPORARY EXHIBITS WITH THEMES SUCH AS ART, FASHION, ARCHITECTURE, AMONG OTHERS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 June 1951.

    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.