Westminister Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of the Westminster Historical Society is to preserve the area?s history by collecting, researching, and displaying local artifacts and records at the Westminster Museum to increase community knowledge and appreciation of our heritage.
- Income
- $33,798
- Spending
- $13,214
- Reserves
- 19.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 (1)
- A major accomplishment was the relocation in 1988 of the former Midway City Women's Club building from Bolsa Ave. to Blakey Historical Park1? The building was built in 1929 and is itself historically significant. After several years of restoration and countless volunteer hours the building reopened as Westminster Museum. Exhibits cover early Indian, Rancho, and Mission periods, settlement of Westminster Colony in 1870, Grandma's Kitchen, and life in the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, Incorporation of the city in 1957, and growth to the present time. In 1989 the Warne Family big, red barn an area landmark was moved from Bolsa Ave. and Bushard to Blakey Historical Park with the Warne Family Farmhouse. In 1993 an exhibit of historical farm equipment opened in the barn. On display are a 125-year-old sugar beet wagon, hand cultivator, John Deere power-lift sweep rake, windrows used to harvest hay and barley, cyclones, a five-foot steam engine flywheel, John Deere spring tooth harrow and weed destroyer, International Harvester cylindrical hay loader, John Deere side delivery rake and many other items. In 1995 the farmhouse was restored & furnished much as it was in 1915 when no water or electricity was available. The old telephone, iron cook stove, 250-year-old Grandfather Clock and foot pedal sewing machine reflect life in the colony in the early 1900's. The McCoy Hare House features the restored first Colony Drugstore built in 1874 by Dr. James McCoy and the turn of the century parlor occupied by the Marie & Orel Hare Family. This historic building is designated Orange County Historical Landmark Number 8.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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.