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Wood County Historical Society

EIN 23-7083346 · Bowling Green, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WOOD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE BY CAPTURING STORIES AND CULTIVATING MEMORIES OF WOOD COUNTY, OHIO AND THE COUNTY HOME.

Income
$486,216
Spending
$387,209
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
37.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
2
Volunteers
80

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: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 37.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 88 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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 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 (2)
  1. $367,217 spent. OPERATION OF 27,000 SQ. FT. MUSEUM, HERB GARDEN, NATURE TRAILS AND NUMEROUS POINTS OF OUTDOOR INTEREST, ON A 50-ACRE SITE OWNED BY WOOD COUNTY. FOR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE: PUBLIC CHARITY IN OHIO BY WAY OF THE POOR FARM" OPENED IN 2019. THE EXHIBIT WON FOUR AWARDS AND HAS BEEN THE BASIS FOR FIVE PUBLISHED ARTICLES. THIS EXHIBIT DEPICTS THE HISTORY OF OHIO'S POOR FARM SYSTEM AND INCLUDES MODERN PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEFFERY HALL OF ALL 88 OHIO COUNTY POOR FARM SITES. "ALLURE & ILLUSION: A ROSE-COLORED ROMANCE." SHOWCASING 40+ BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DRESSES ONCE WORN AT PAST WOOD COUNTY WEDDINGS, THIS EXHIBIT PRESENTS THE FOUNDATION OF MARRIAGE CULTURE AND HOW MODERN IDEOLOGY IS CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO GET MARRIED AND STRIVE FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM. IT ALSO FEATURES FRANK KALAN HARLEQUIN ROMANCE COVER ART FROM BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY BROWNE POPULAR CULTURE LIBRARY. "THE MARY & CARL BACH STORY" OPENED IN OCTOBER 2020. THIS EXHIBIT CONTEXTUALIZES THE MURDER OF MARY BACH, THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CARL BACH, AND CONFRONTS THE FOLKLORE SURROUNDING THE HUMAN REMAINS THAT ARE PART OF THE WCHS COLLECTION. "A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: SOCIETAL RESPONSE TO DISEASE" LOCATED INSIDE THE PEST HOUSE. "CHASING THE WHITE RABBIT: A HISTORICAL LOOK AT AMERICAN MENTAL ILLNESS" LOCATED INSIDE THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. WCHS HAD THESE EVENTS IN 2024: NUMBER OF EVENTS: 21 FAMILY-FOCUSED EVENTS -- 3,300 PEOPLE EASTER EGG HUNT (300+), SAFETY EVENT (3000+) COMMUNITY-WELCOMING EVENTS -- 2,638 PEOPLE 3 MUSIC @ MUSEUMS (1650), POOR FARM PALOOZA (135), ADHAMS ART SHOW (63), PEACHES BIRTHDAY (100), FIRST FREE FRIDAYS (690) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON-SITE -- 2,479 PEOPLE EARLY OHIO LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND (1500), UNNATURAL OHIO BOOK SIGNING (52), 5 TEAS & TALKS (347), GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY (20), LIVING HISTORY DAY IN AUGUST (100), SUMMER TEA CLASSES (78), BLACKSMITH DEMOS (50), POWER OF YESTERYEAR SPRING SHOWCASE (100), WOOD COUNTY PARKS PROGRAMS (82) OUTREACH (NOT INCLUDING TRAVELING PROGRAMS) -- 3,210 PEOPLE OHIO TOURISM DAY (400), BGSU HISTORY DAY (50), MAUMEE RIVER CELEBRATION AT PROVIDENCE (200), WOOD COUNTY EMPLOYEE PICNIC (124), BOWLING GREEN FARMERS MARKET (150), PERRYBURG MARKET (200), PEMBERVILLE PARADE (1000), HISTORIC CARTER FARMFEST (307), NORTH BALTIMORE TRUNK OR TREAT (490), CANAL EXPERIENCE ANNIVERSARY (200), TOLEDO/LUCAS COUNTY GENEALOGICAL & LOCAL HISTORY FAIR (89). EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS/ TRAVELING PROGRAMS OFF-SITE --4,294 PEOPLE ADULT PROGRAMS (113 PROGRAMS SERVING 2,181 PEOPLE), STUDENT PROGRAMS (34 PROGRAMS SERVING 2,113 PEOPLE). MUSEUM VISITORS 2,276 TOTAL PEOPLE SERVED IN 2024 WAS 18,197 THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE VIRTUAL PROGRAM AUDIENCES OR SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS. VOLUNTEERS: 30 COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS AND 50 ADULT VOLUNTEERS. VOLUNTEERISM INCLUDED FRONT DESK GREETERS, NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY, EVENTS VOLUNTEERS, AND HERB GARDEN MAINTENANCE. OPERATION OF 27,000 SQ. FT. MUSEUM, HERB GARDEN, NATURE TRAILS AND NUMEROUS POINTS OF OUTDOOR INTEREST, ON A 50-ACRE SITE OWNED BY WOOD COUNTY. FOR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE: PUBLIC CHARITY IN OHIO BY WAY OF THE POOR FARM" OPENED IN 2019. THE EXHIBIT WON FOUR AWARDS AND HAS BEEN THE BASIS FOR FIVE PUBLISHED ARTICLES. THIS EXHIBIT DEPICTS THE HISTORY OF OHIO'S POOR FARM SYSTEM AND INCLUDES MODERN PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEFFERY HALL OF ALL 88 OHIO COUNTY POOR FARM SITES. "ALLURE & ILLUSION: A ROSE-COLORED ROMANCE." SHOWCASING 40+ BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DRESSES ONCE WORN AT PAST WOOD COUNTY WEDDINGS, THIS EXHIBIT PRESENTS THE FOUNDATION OF MARRIAGE CULTURE AND HOW MODERN IDEOLOGY IS CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO GET MARRIED AND STRIVE FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM. IT ALSO FEATURES FRANK KALAN HARLEQUIN ROMANCE COVER ART FROM BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY BROWNE POPULAR CULTURE LIBRARY. "THE MARY & CARL BACH STORY" OPENED IN OCTOBER 2020. THIS EXHIBIT CONTEXTUALIZES THE MURDER OF MARY BACH, THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CARL BACH, AND CONFRONTS THE FOLKLORE SURROUNDING THE HUMAN REMAINS THAT ARE PART OF THE WCHS COLLECTION. "A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH: SOCIETAL RESPONSE TO DISEASE" LOCATED INSIDE THE PEST HOUSE. "CHASING THE WHITE RABBIT: A HISTORICAL LOOK AT AMERICAN MENTAL ILLNESS" LOCATED INSIDE THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. WCHS HAD THESE EVENTS IN 2024: NUMBER OF EVENTS: 21 FAMILY-FOCUSED EVENTS -- 3,300 PEOPLE EASTER EGG HUNT (300+), SAFETY EVENT (3000+) COMMUNITY-WELCOMING EVENTS -- 2,638 PEOPLE 3 MUSIC @ MUSEUMS (1650), POOR FARM PALOOZA (135), ADHAMS ART SHOW (63), PEACHES BIRTHDAY (100), FIRST FREE FRIDAYS (690) EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON-SITE -- 2,479 PEOPLE EARLY OHIO LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND (1500), UNNATURAL OHIO BOOK SIGNING (52), 5 TEAS & TALKS (347), GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY (20), LIVING HISTORY DAY IN AUGUST (100), SUMMER TEA CLASSES (78), BLACKSMITH DEMOS (50), POWER OF YESTERYEAR SPRING SHOWCASE (100), WOOD COUNTY PARKS PROGRAMS (82) OUTREACH (NOT INCLUDING TRAVELING PROGRAMS) -- 3,210 PEOPLE OHIO TOURISM DAY (400), BGSU HISTORY DAY (50), MAUMEE RIVER CELEBRATION AT PROVIDENCE (200), WOOD COUNTY EMPLOYEE PICNIC (124), BOWLING GREEN FARMERS MARKET (150), PERRYBURG MARKET (200), PEMBERVILLE PARADE (1000), HISTORIC CARTER FARMFEST (307), NORTH BALTIMORE TRUNK OR TREAT (490), CANAL EXPERIENCE ANNIVERSARY (200), TOLEDO/LUCAS COUNTY GENEALOGICAL & LOCAL HISTORY FAIR (89). EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS/ TRAVELING PROGRAMS OFF-SITE --4,294 PEOPLE ADULT PROGRAMS (113 PROGRAMS SERVING 2,181 PEOPLE), STUDENT PROGRAMS (34 PROGRAMS SERVING 2,113 PEOPLE). MUSEUM VISITORS 2,276 TOTAL PEOPLE SERVED IN 2024 WAS 18,197 THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE VIRTUAL PROGRAM AUDIENCES OR SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS. VOLUNTEERS: 30 COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS AND 50 ADULT VOLUNTEERS. VOLUNTEERISM INCLUDED FRONT DESK GREETERS, NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY, EVENTS VOLUNTEERS, AND HERB GARDEN MAINTENANCE.
  2. PUBLICATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER, "THE BLACK SWAMP CHANTICLEER" PRODUCED QUARTERLY IN PRINT AND ONLINE. 1,624 CHANTICLEER NEWSLETTERS WERE MAILED; E-NEWSLETTER OPENS 14,908. 8,284 FACEBOOK LIKES, 1,484 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS. MUSEUM INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITE, AND E-NEWSLETTER.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 1970.

    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.