Erie County Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Erie County Historical Society inspires and engages through dynamic educational programs, community outreach, and with relevant exhibits and publications. We preserve our collections and archives to serve as a comprehensive, accessible resource for all.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $111,475, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 157% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (2)
- $1.4 million spent. The Hagen History Center preserves more than 200 years of Erie County history and shares it with the public. The History Centers physical plant includes five historic properties as well as a modern exhibit building and an archives building, encompassing over 132 acres of property. The historic properties are representative of Victorian architecture and represent a period spanning from 1853-1891 including the flagship 15,000 square-foot Watson Curtze Mansion. Collections include more than 50 permanent and temporary exhibits, two antique cars, and multiple historic 2-D and 3-D items from a variety of sources, both regional and national, that have been donated or purchased since the History Centers inception in 1898. The 10,000 square-foot archives building includes 800 separate collections with more than 8,200 linear feet of material including 5,800 books, diaries, letters, correspondence, typescripts, reports, photographs, maps, paintings, pottery, household items, furniture and other historical resources related to Erie County along with the history of people, places, things, events and activities. The History Centers signature exhibit is Frank Lloyd Wrights field office from San Francisco which is housed in its own exhibit building.
- $10,715 spent. Education and Outreach: During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, visitation at the Hagen History Center reached nearly 8,000 people with 748 students visiting as part of field trips from 16 different schools, both public and private. An increase of over 100 from the previous fiscal year. Visits from two different universities have also taken place. During the summer, the Hagen History Center also held a History Detectives Camp for middle school students and nearly 75 took part in the weeklong camps. During the same time period, the Museum Educator gave off-site presentations to various social groups numbering as many as 250 people. A volunteer docent program has seen over 35 adults trained as qualified docents here on our campus to greet visitors, answer questions and lead guided tours. Partnerships with different schools and recruitment of more school groups to visit our campus is on going. In addition to school field trips to our campus, the Museum Educator visited several schools and presented programs on various topics to students. The History Center offers tours and thematic programing, such as our World War II immersive experience. The History Center also provides Traveling Trunks for classroom use that contain a mixture of original items and replicas. The Museum Educator and additional staff also conducted education and outreach programs with dozens of clubs and social organizations. Staff are also involved in regular community engagment during neighborhood activities and regional community celebrations, fairs and events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.
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