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Old York Historical Society

EIN 22-2474846 · York, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE OLD YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE HISTORY OF THE YORK MAINE REGION FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC.

Income
$978,325
Spending
$931,410
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
30
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$108,496, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 138% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $168,388 spent. HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS - THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES AND LANDSCAPES THAT OYHS OWNS OR MAINTAINS, TOGETHER ARE ITS SINGLE GREATEST PROGRAM ELEMENT THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC. IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024, OLD YORK ACQUIRED BY TRANSFER FROM 9TH GENERATION DESCENDANTS OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDER, THE MCINTIRE GARRISON IN YORK, A LOG STRUCTURE BUILT IN 1713 AND AS OF 2024 THE OLDEST SCIENTIFICALLY DATED, AND UNALTERED, HOUSE IN MAINE.
  2. $184,251 spent. EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS - YORK LIVING HISTORY, THE OYHS HISTORICAL IMMERSION EXPERIENCE FOR ALL FIFTH GRADERS IN THE YORK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ONCE AGAIN WELCOMED STUDENTS IN 2024. OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND CHILDREN 18 AND UNDER WERE GIVEN FREE ADMISSION. OTHER PUBLIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE HALLOWEEN LIGHTING OF THE PUMPKINS, YULETIDE ACTIVITIES, AND FREE ZOOM LECTURES ROUNDED OUT THE YEAR.
  3. $306,379 spent. EXHIBITIONS - ADDITIONS TO THE REMICK GALLERY'S BEST OF YORK EXHIBITION INCLUDED OBJECTS RECENTLY ACQUIRED FROM THE EMERSON-VIELE FAMILY OF YORK. AMONG THE OBJECTS EXHIBITED WAS A C. 1874 PAINTING BY CHARLES J. WALDRON OF THE CLIPPER SHIP AMERICA, CAPTAINED BY ANDREW LEONARD EMERSON OF YORK, CAPT. EMERSON'S SEA CHEST AND NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS. THE MARSHALL STORE GALLERY CONTINUED EXHIBITIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART IN 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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