Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PRESERVE AND SHARE OBERLIN'S UNIQUE HERITAGE AND TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND VISIT.
- Income
- $690,328
- Spending
- $518,205
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 120
- Highest pay
- $72,861, 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: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 75% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 2517 of 17 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 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 (9)
- $360,552 spent. HISTORY EDUCATION: THE OBERLIN HISTORICAL AND IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION, DOING BUSINESS AS THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER, BELIEVES THAT WHEN PEOPLE BETTER UNDERSTAND HISTORY THEY MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS IN THE PRESENT AND DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION FOR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER OFFERS PUBLIC TOURS OF ITS THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS YEAR-ROUND, HISTORY WALKS, PUBLIC LECTURES, YOUTH AND ADULT OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS AND A SAMPLING OF OHC'S ACTIVITIES IN 2024.
- COLLECTIONS: THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER COLLECTS THE MATERIAL AND INTELLECTUAL CULTURE OF PEOPLE IN OBERLIN, OHIO, AND PRESERVES IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. OHC SEEKS OBJECTS, ARCHIVAL MATERIALS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY, WHOSE STORIES AND MEANINGS ARE RICH, THAT HAVE INHERENT WORTH, THAT BOTH REFLECT AND CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, AND THAT INVITE US TO LOOK DEEPER OR BROADER. OHC REQUIRES THESE OBJECTS AND THEIR DOCUMENTED CONTEXTS AS EVIDENCE TO ILLUMINATE AND INTERPRET THE LARGER THEMES OF OBERLIN HISTORY AND ENVIRONMENT. THE COLLECTIONS FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, EXHIBITION, PUBLIC PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH. INCLUDED IN THE COLLECTIONS ARE HISTORIC BUILDINGS: THE MONROE HOUSE, JEWETT HOUSE AND BARN, AND THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE.THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER INTERPRETS OBERLIN'S HISTORY, IN PARTICULAR ITS STRONG ACTIVIST TRADITIONS OF ABOLITIONISM AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS, UNIVERSAL EDUCATION, RACISM AND CIVIL RIGHTS, SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION, THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH OUR TWO HOUSE MUSEUMS AND THE SCHOOLHOUSE, AND THE VARIED LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE PEOPLE OF OBERLIN. RESEARCH ON ALL OF THESE TOPICS AND OTHERS IS ONGOING AND WILL HELP SHAPE FUTURE INTERPRETATION AND COLLECTING.THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER'S BUILDINGS AND COLLECTIONS SERVE AS A BACKDROP AND THE SETTING FOR INTERPRETING MAJOR EVENTS AND THEMES IN THE COMMUNITY'S HISTORY. THE COLLECTIONS ON DISPLAY IN THE JEWETT HOUSE AND THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE SHOULD REFLECT WHAT TYPICAL STRUCTURES OF THEIR ERAS LOOKED LIKE. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE COLLECTIONS ALSO SHOWCASE THE DAILY ACTIVITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE STORIES WE TELL. THE COLLECTIONS ON DISPLAY IN THE MONROE HOUSE CURRENTLY INTERPRET THE HISTORY OF THE FORMER INHABITANTS AS WELL AS OBERLIN'S FOUNDING AND EARLY HISTORY. THIS IS LIKELY TO CHANGE AS STAFF CONSIDER MAKING THE MONROE HOUSE SUITABLE FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS AND BALANCE VISITOR INTEREST, INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS, SECURITY FLEXIBILITY, AND INTERPRETIVE GOALS THAT MOVE BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL HISTORIC HOUSE MODEL. FINE TUNING THE COLLECTIONS SO THAT THEY INTERPRET BOTH THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND BROADER COMMUNITY STORIES IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, AN ONGOING PROCESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REQUEST THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER COLLECTIONS PLAN.
- ARCHIVES, RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS: THE ORGANIZATION'S RESOURCE CENTER INCLUDES HOLDINGS ON OBERLIN HISTORY, FAMILY HISTORY, HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND MUSEUM MANAGEMENT. STAFF MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT TO ASSIST THOSE INTERESTED IN RESEARCHING LOCAL AND FAMILY HISTORY, WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON DESCENDANTS OF FAMILIES THAT SETTLED IN THE OBERLIN AREA. MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERWAY INCLUDE THE WESTWOOD CEMETERY INVENTORY, THE OBERLIN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT, AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD RESEARCH. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES BOOKS AND BOOKLETS ON HISTORICAL TOPICS FROM TIME TO TIME, ONLINE RESOURCES, AS WELL AS ITS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AND THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT.
- PRESERVATION & HISTORY ADVOCACY: OHC ADVOCATES FOR THE PRESERVATION AND INTERPRETATION OF BUILDINGS, DOCUMENTS, STORIES, LANDSCAPES AND MORE. OHC COLLABORATES WITH VARIED COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND PEER ORGANIZATIONS TO FACILITATE HISTORY PROJECTS AND ENCOURAGES THE PRESERVATION AND SHARING OF VARIED VOICES FOR A MORE HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE PAST.
- HIGHLIGHTS FROM OHC'S 2024 ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE FROM OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LIZ SCHULTZ IN 2024 THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER HOSTED, AMONG MANY OFFERINGS, PROGRAMS ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, CIVIL WAR, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, WOMEN'S VOTING RIGHTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE STORIES THAT CONTINUE TO BE THOUGH-PROVOKING AND MOTIVATIONAL TODAY. WE WERE THRILLED THAT FILMMAKERS SCOTT SPEARS AND CHRISTINA PAOLUCCI RECEIVED AN EMMY FOR THE DOCUMENTARY "A HIGHER LAW: THE OBERLIN-WELLINGTON RESCUE OF 1858," A FILM ABOUT INDIVIDUALS JOINING TOGETHER TO HELP JOHN PRICE ESCAPE FROM AGENTS WHO AIMED TO TAKE HIM BACK INTO A LIFE OF ENSLAVEMENT. THOSE RESCUERS RISKED THEIR LIVES TO HELP A YOUNG MAN WHOSE ONLY CRIME HAD BEEN FREEING HIMSELF SO THAT HE COULD TRAVEL, WORK, LEARN, WORSHIP, LOVE, DRESS, SLEEP, EAT, AND SPEAK AS HE PLEASED, WITHOUT THREAT OF VIOLENCE. I WANT TO THANK MY COWORKERS, OHC TRUSTEES AND VOLUNTEERS, AND THE MANY SUPPORTERS WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION OF THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER: TO PRESERVE AND SHARE OBERLIN'S UNIQUE HERITAGE AND TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND VISIT. IT IS AN HONOR TO WORK IN AND FOR A COMMUNITY THAT IS ALWAYS STRIVING TO MAKE THE WORLD A KINDER, MORE ACCEPTING PLACE. OHC ANNUAL MEETING 2024 ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024, OHC HELD ITS ANNUAL MEETING AT THE HOTEL AT OBERLIN. 110 IN-PERSON GUESTS JOINED THE OHC BOARD AND STAFF FOR A SOCIAL HOUR AND DINNER. PRIOR TO THE MEETING BEING CALLED TO ORDER, DEVELOPMENT CHAIR CLAUDIA JONES AND DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS MANAGER BETHANY HOBBS WERE INTRODUCED BY OHC BOARD PRESIDENT KEN GROSSI TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PAT MURPHY ENDOWMENT FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL TO REACH $1,000,000. TOWARDS THIS GOAL, BETHANY HOBBS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS DONATING $15,000 FROM THE ESTATE OF HER MOTHER, ELOISE PULSIFER, WHO PASSED EARLIER IN 2023. AFTER THANKING THEM ALL, KEN GROSSI THEN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS THE APPROVAL OF THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES AND THE TREASURER'S REPORT, WHICH WERE BOTH APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE. NEXT ON THE AGENDA WAS THE ELECTION OF NEW TRUSTEES, KATHLEEN JAFFEE, EVANGELINE MCFARLIN, CONNIE SHUBERT, AND GEORGE WRIGHT, WHO WERE ANNOUNCED BY GOVERNANCE CHAIR MARY WORTHINGTON. MARY THANKED THE OUTGOING TRUSTEES AND BESTOWED HONORARY TRUSTEE STATUS ON EBONI JOHNSON AND BUD SPIERLING. TYRONE WICKS WAS ALSO THANKED FOR HIS SERVICE ON THE BOARD EVEN THOUGH HE HAD TO STEP OFF THE BOARD IN 2024. MEMBERS OF OHC'S BOARD AND TWO SUBSIDIARY BOARDS WERE ALSO THANKED FOR THEIR SERVICE. OHC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LIZ SCHULTZ THEN INTRODUCED THE NIGHT'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER, CHRISTINA HARTLIEB, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE IN CINCINNATI. HER PRESENTATION WAS TITLED "WHY DID THE LANE REBELS MOVE FROM CINCINNATI TO OBERLIN?" THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTED OVERLAPS IN HISTORY BETWEEN OBERLIN AND CINCINNATI, THE HISTORICAL FIGURES WHOSE STORIES AFFECTED BOTH OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THE MOMENTOUS EVENTS OF THE 1830S THAT SHAPED THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT IN OHIO. FOLLOWING THE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION AND DINNER, MARY WORTHINGTON RETURNED TO PRESENT THE AWARDS PORTION OF THE EVENING. BOTH ANNE MONTOYA AND KATHLEEN JAFFEE WERE NOMINATED AND AWARDED VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS. THE CEREMONY WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE TWO WINNERS' ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES, WHICH WAS RECORDED AND ASSEMBLED BY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR STEVEN RICE. TO CLOSE OUT THE EVENT, LIZ SCHULTZ AND KEN GROSSI MADE ANNOUNCEMENTS WHICH INCLUDED A THANK YOU TO OHC VOLUNTEERS, BOARD, STAFF, MEMBERS, AND DONORS. KEN ENDED THE NIGHT'S PRESENTATION BY CALLING ON EVERYONE TO THANK LIZ SCHULTZ FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND TIRELESS EFFORTS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. HE ALSO THANKED EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS AND THE HOTEL AT OBERLIN BEFORE OFFICIALLY ADJOURNING THE MEETING. 2024 COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS IN 2024, OHC BEGAN ROTATING COMMUNITY AWARDS TO EVERY OTHER YEAR WHILE CONTINUING TO HONOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS EVERY YEAR. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: ANNE MONTOYA ANNE BEGAN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE HERITAGE CENTER IN 2017 BY HELPING DURING OHC'S YOUTH CAMPS DURING SPRING BREAKS AND THE SUMMER. ANNE CAME WITH PRIOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH HER EMPLOYMENT AS A SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER. SHE PROVED TO BE A CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE VOLUNTEER WITH THESE YOUTH CAMPS, ALWAYS ARRIVING PREPARED, AND MAINTAINED A FUN, OPEN, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT. ANNE, OVER TIME, TOOK ON MORE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING COMMITTING TO COMING IN WEEKLY TO LEAD PUBLICLY SCHEDULED GUIDED TOURS AND HELPING WITH ADDITIONAL GROUP TOUR REQUESTS. ANNE ALSO HELPS AT MANY SPECIAL EVENTS, SUPERVISING HANDS-ON, FUN EXPERIENCES FOR KIDS. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: KATHLEEN JAFFEE IN ADDITION TO BEING A NEW BOARD MEMBER, KATHY HAS BEEN AN OHC COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER SINCE 2019. DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE VOLUNTEERED WITH OHC'S DIGITAL CENSUS MAPPING PROJECT, WORKING REMOTELY TO ENTER INFORMATION FROM THE 1910 CENSUS INTO THE ONLINE PROGRAM HISTORYFORGE. MORE RECENTLY, HER HOURS ARE OFTEN DEDICATED TO ENTERING INFORMATION INTO OHC'S COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THIS EXACTING, BUT VERY IMPORTANT, TASK ENSURES THAT THE OBJECTS AND IMAGES ENTRUSTED TO OHC'S CARE ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AND KEYWORD SEARCHABLE. IN 2023, SHE TOOK ON THE MONUMENTAL TASK OF CATALOGING A DONATION OF OVER 200 OBERLIN POSTCARDS. SHE SPENT MANY HOURS CAREFULLY ADDING EACH IMAGE TO THE DATABASE AND THEN WRITING A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE POSTCARD.
- ONGOING IMPACT AND PEACE OF MIND MEET JULIE MIN AND NIKKI SMITH-HIGNITE, TWO OF OHC'S EARLY SUPPORTERS OF AUTOMATIC RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS. RECURRING DONORS, NOW CALLED THE HEARTWOOD CIRCLE, HELP MAKE SURE THAT THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY HISTORICAL INFORMATION TO THE OBERLIN COMMUNITY. NIKKI SMITH-HIGNITE Q: WHY DO YOU SUPPORT THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER? A: OHC OFFERS OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXHIBITS, AND EVENTS, PROVIDING VALUABLE LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. ADDITIONALLY, BACKING THE HERITAGE CENTER FOSTERS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY PRIDE AND ENGAGEMENT, AS IT CONTRIBUTES TO PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING LOCAL HISTORY. Q: WHY DID YOU BECOME A RECURRING GIVER? A: CONVENIENCE, CONSISTENCY, AND IMPACT. CONVENIENCE: RECURRING GIVING ALLOWS YOU TO SET UP AUTOMATIC DONATIONS, MAKING IT EASIER TO SUPPORT THE HERITAGE CENTER WITHOUT HAVING TO REMEMBER TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS YEARLY. CONSISTENCY: BY COMMITTING TO RECURRING GIVING, I CAN PROVIDE CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO OHC, WHICH CAN HELP THEM BETTER PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THEIR PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES. IMPACT: I FEEL THAT REGULAR, ONGOING SUPPORT CAN HAVE A GREATER IMPACT OVER TIME COMPARED TO ONE-TIME DONATIONS. IT ALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OHC TO SUSTAIN THEIR EFFORTS AND MAKE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN THEIR MISSION. JULIE MIN Q: WHY DO YOU SUPPORT THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER? A: THEY DO THE IMPORTANT WORK OF HELPING US UNDERSTAND OUR HISTORY AND THUS OURSELVES. I APPRECIATE THAT THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO REACH AND SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AN INCREDIBLY DEDICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF, INTERESTING PROGRAMS, FUN EVENTS THE HERITAGE CENTER IS SUCH A VALUABLE PART OF OBERLIN! Q: WHY DID YOU BECOME A RECURRING GIVER? A: THIS WAS THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT OHC RECEIVES OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IF YOU, TOO, ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING OHC'S HEARTWOOD CIRCLE, YOU CAN SET UP THE PROCESS AND MONTHLY AMOUNT THROUGH OUR SECURE DONATION PLATFORM, DONORPERFECT, VIA THE SUPPORT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE. HEARTWOOD CIRCLE CONTRIBUTORS ARE MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORT IS USED FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS. PARTICIPANTS CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THEIR SETTINGS AND ASK QUESTIONS OF OHC DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS MANAGER BETHANY HOBBS, WHO APPRECIATES THE STEADY SUPPORT AND REDUCED PAPERWORK OF THIS PROGRAM! JIM SUNSHINE BROUGHT SUNSHINE OHC STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS WERE HONORED TO LEARN THAT JIM SUNSHINE LEFT THE ORGANIZATION A BEQUEST TO SUPPORT ITS GENERAL OPERATING ENDOWMENT. JIM, A MEMBER SINCE 1999 AND EVENTUALLY AN ENDOWED LIFE MEMBER, HAD PASSED IN DECEMBER OF 2023. JIM WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, A SURGICAL TECHNICIAN, OBERLIN COLLEGE GRADUATE, AND NEWSPAPER EDITOR, PRIMARILY FOR THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HIS FAMILY. OHC STAFF MEMBER BETHANY HOBBS LOVED HOW NOTES FROM JIM WOULD COME TYPED FROM A TYPEWRITER AND LIZ SCHULTZ APPRECIATED BEING JIM'S SEAT BUDDY ON A TOUR OF PRESIDENTIAL SITES IN OHIO.
- OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER HIGHLIGHTS A SAMPLING OF WHAT OHC DID IN 2024 OHC STARTED OFF THE NEW YEAR BY ANNOUNCING OUR TOUR SCHEDULE WHICH INCLUDED SELF-GUIDED OBERLIN ORIGINS TOURS OF THE MONROE HOUSE, GUIDED TOURS OF THE MONROE HOUSE AND LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE, JEWETT HOUSE TOURS THE FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS OF EACH MONTH, "FOILED AGAIN!: THE ALUMINUM MYSTERY EXPERIENCE", AND SUMMER HISTORY WALKS. OHC JOINED THE METRO CENTRAL UNIT OF THE NAACP AND SHARED LIVE THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE THE ANNUAL REDEDICATION OF DR. KING'S DREAM AND THE SHARING OF REFLECTIONS, QUOTES, AND INSPIRATION. OHC BECAME AN OFFICIAL PARTNER IN MUSEUMS FOR ALL, A SIGNATURE ACCESS PROGRAM OF THE INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES (IMLS) TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VISIT MUSEUMS. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THOSE RECEIVING FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP) BENEFITS TO RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION AT OHC. HOT OFF THE PRESS! OHC'S NEW 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN WAS APPROVED IN DECEMBER, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY OF COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS, AS EACH COMMENT SHAPED THIS GUIDE FOR OUR FUTURE. AMANDA MANAHAN VISITED LORAIN CITY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY TO PRESENT PROGRAMS ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. AS PART OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, OHC DEBUTED A NEW MINI-DOCUMENTARY RESEARCHED AND CREATED BY LILLIAN GIBSON (OBERLIN COLLEGE CLASS OF 2025), WHICH FEATURED OBERLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FIRST EDUCATORS OF COLOR. OHC'S MUSEUM EDUCATION & TOUR MANAGER, AMANDA MANAHAN, PRESENTED A PUBLIC PROGRAM AT THE OBERLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY FEATURING SEVERAL OF OBERLIN'S BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS OF THE 19TH CENTURY THROUGH TODAY. DR. JAMIE CAPUZZA PRESENTED HER PROGRAM ON OHIO'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORIC WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT, "THE FIFTH STAR: OHIO'S FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE". THE TITLE WAS INSPIRED BY OHIO BEING THE FIFTH STATE TO RATIFY THE NINETEENTH AMENDMENT. WE HAD "MOON WITHOUT SHINE" WHEN OHC JOINED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND MOST OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE WHEN THE 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE PASSED DIRECTLY OVER OBERLIN ON 4/8/2024 AND PUT THE TOWN IN TOTALITY WITH MESMERIZING DARKNESS. DIANA STEELE, AN AVID BIRDER AND FORMER NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR AT THE OHIO ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, EXPLORED THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LYNDS JONES, OBERLIN COLLEGE GRADUATE OF 1892 AND PROFESSOR, THROUGH HER PROGRAM, "LYNDS JONES - THE BIRDMAN OF OBERLIN." IN MAY, STUDENTS FROM OBERLIN'S THIRD GRADE CLASSES MADE THEIR ANNUAL VISIT WHERE THEY COMPLETED A DAY OF SCHOOL AT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICA 250-OHIO, THE OFFICIAL STATE COMMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR SPEARHEADING OHIO'S CELEBRATIONS AROUND AMERICA'S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL IN 2026, OHC OFFERED EVERY FOURTH-GRADE STUDENT IN OHIO THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY IN YOUNG MINDS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. VOLUNTEERS SHOWED UP AND DUG IN AT OHC'S GROUNDS DAY TO HELP SPRUCE UP THE GROUNDS AS WE GOT READY FOR SUMMER VISITORS. OHC WAS HONORED TO RECEIVE AN AWARD FROM THE BONNER CENTER OF OBERLIN COLLEGE FOR "OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER CO-EDUCATOR." OHC HAS HOSTED BONNER STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AND WORK STUDY STUDENTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND WOULD NOT BE THE ORGANIZATION IT IS TODAY WITHOUT THE MANY STUDENTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND TALENTS. WE OFFER A WIDER VARIETY OF TOURS AND HISTORY WALKS TO THE PUBLIC ALONG WITH GUESTS AND VISITORS OF OBERLIN COLLEGE DURING COMMENCEMENT AND REUNION WEEKEND (MAY), HOMECOMING WEEKEND (SEPTEMBER) AND PARENTS WEEKEND (NOVEMBER). OHC CO-SPONSORED A SHOWING OF "A HIGHER LAW: THE OBERLIN-WELLINGTON RESCUE OF 1858" AT THE LORAIN PALACE THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN LORAIN. THE RESCUE WAS A KEY EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF ABOLITIONISM LEADING UP TO THE CIVIL WAR, WHEN A GROUP OF 37 MEN WERE CHARGED WITH VIOLATING THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT OF 1850. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT A 'HIGHER LAW' DEFENSE WAS USED IN A FEDERAL COURT CASE. THE DOCUMENTARY HAS SINCE RECEIVED AN EMMY FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES - OHIO VALLEY. TEACHERS FROM CALIFORNIA INCLUDED OBERLIN AND THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE DURING THEIR SUMMER VISIT AS PART OF FOOTSTEPS TO FREEDOM'S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STUDY TOUR. OHC PARTICIPATED IN MULTIPLE COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING OBERLIN'S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, CHALK WALK, LORAIN COUNTY PRIDE, ART FAIR IN THE SQUARE, AND THE LORAIN COUNTY FAIR. PARTICIPATING IN THESE EVENTS IS IMPORTANT TO OUR BROADER MISSION TO SERVE THE OBERLIN COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FULFILLING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. OHC WAS FORTUNATE TO WELCOME SUMMER INTERN CALLAN ENGSTROM WHO ASSISTED WITH RESEARCH, WRITING, AND PRODUCTION FOR A HISTORY DOCUSERIES AND OUR TEEN MUSEUM SUMMER WORKSHOP. IN THE FALL, WE EMBRACED THE RETURN OBERLIN COLLEGE INTERNS LILLIAN GIBSON AND NAIYA PATEL-KAPKA AND STUDENT VOLUNTEER MALENA GLOVER. NEW TO OHC WERE INTERN BELLA SCHMITT, STUDENT VOLUNTEER CHLOE BENDORIS, AND SPECIAL PROJECTS AND TOUR ASSISTANT LUCY FREEMAN. OHC MEMBERS WERE PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF LOCAL RADIO STATION WOBL/WDLW WHICH INCLUDED A TOUR AND A LOOK AT THEIR OPERATIONS IN ACTION. OUR TEEN MUSEUM SUMMER WORKSHOP GAVE PARTICIPANTS A THREE-DAY, BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORKSHOP TO TEENS INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, EXPANDING THEIR LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCING WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK AT A MUSEUM. THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER WAS AWARDED THE AMERICA 250 GRANT TO CREATE A SERIES OF MINI DOCUMENTARIES, "LOCAL LEADERS, NATIONAL IMPACT". THE AMERICA 250-OHIO COMMISSION GRANTS PROGRAM HAS WORKED WITH OHIO HUMANITIES TO DISTRIBUTE $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO 84 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE AND WAS DESIGNED TO SHOWCASE THE ACHIEVEMENTS, STRUGGLES, HONORS, INNOVATIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ALL PEOPLE IN OHIO SINCE BEFORE ITS FOUNDING TO THE PRESENT DAY. CIVIL WAR AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN GENE SCHMIEL GAVE AN
- 2024 BY THE NUMBERS - 21 ADULT ORGANIZATIONS SERVED - 34 GROUP TOURS - 48 YOUTH OUTREACH VISITS - 100 RESEARCH AND INFORMATION REQUESTS ANSWERED - 458 PEOPLE WHO TOOK DIGITAL TOURS IN IZI.TRAVEL - 4,078 HOURS OF CONTENT WATCHED ON OHC'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL - 5,642 TOUR, PROGRAM, AND EVENT PARTICIPANTS EDUCATED AND ENGAGED OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2024-2028 INTRODUCTION THIS IS THE NINTH STRATEGIC PLAN CREATED BY THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER, WHICH WILL GUIDE OUR WORK THROUGH 2028. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, WHETHER THAT WAS BY ATTENDING A PUBLIC FORUM OR COMPLETING A SURVEY. EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T SHARE COMMENTS DIRECTLY IN THE PROCESS, WE ARE ALWAYS LISTENING TO VISITOR AND MEMBER FEEDBACK, BENCHMARKING WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING, AND KEEPING AN EYE ON TRENDS AND CONCERNS IN OBERLIN AND BEYOND. THIS PLAN WAS CRAFTED OVER A 15-MONTH PERIOD WITH INPUT FROM OHC MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LORAIN COUNTY RESIDENTS, VOLUNTEERS, TRUSTEES, STAFF MEMBERS, AND MORE, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS. THE PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE OHC BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 6, 2023. THE FOLLOWING PRESENTS THE CORE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES SET FORTH IN THE PLAN. ADDITIONAL SUBTASKS WERE IDENTIFIED AND ARE AVAILABLE IN A MORE DETAILED VERSION BY REQUEST. ONE OF THE JOYS OF BEING A SMALL ORGANIZATION WITH SO MANY ENGAGED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SUPPORTERS IS THAT WE CAN ADAPT QUICKLY WHILE ALSO ACTING AS RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. TOGETHER WITH YOU, WE LOOK FORWARD TO BETTER SERVING THE MANY PEOPLE WHO SEEK INSPIRATION, UNDERSTANDING, AND FELLOWSHIP THROUGH OBERLIN HISTORY. MISSION STATEMENT THE MISSION OF THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER IS TO PRESERVE AND SHARE OBERLIN'S UNIQUE HERITAGE AND TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK, AND VISIT. CORE VALUES THE FOLLOWING ARE VALUES THAT ARE SHARED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND THAT GUIDE OUR WORK AND PRACTICE. STEWARDSHIP: PROTECT AND PRESERVE OBERLIN'S HISTORICAL RESOURCES AND MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. INSPIRATION: EMPOWER ACTION BY ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS IN CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING, EMPATHY, AND DISCUSSION. INCLUSION: SEEK AND EMBRACE A DIVERSITY OF PARTICIPATION, IDEAS, AND OPINIONS, AND RECOGNIZE EVERYONE'S AGENCY AS A HISTORY KEEPER. EQUITY: UPHOLD THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF FAIRNESS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO ALL IN PRACTICE AND SERVICE. INTEGRITY: BE AUTHENTIC, ACCURATE, AND TRANSPARENT IN OUR MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE, AND INTERPRETIVE PRACTICE. SUSTAINABILITY: PREPARE FOR THE NEEDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS BY BEING A ROBUST, ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIBLE, AND FORWARD-THINKING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION. VISION STATEMENT THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER IS A FORWARD-THINKING, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN HISTORY AND PRESERVATION WHOSE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES EDUCATE AND DELIGHT, BRING DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, AND INSPIRE ALL WHO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND HOW HISTORY SHAPES OUR WORLD TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THIS PLAN IS FRAMED AROUND FIVE KEY AREAS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT. IT IS MEANT TO GUIDE OHC'S ENERGIES TO SPECIFIC AREAS OF FOCUS, BUT ALSO BE A LIVING DOCUMENT THAT CAN BE UPDATED TO ALWAYS BE RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND INTERNAL NEEDS. IN ACHIEVING THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE PLAN, OHC WILL: BECOME MORE VISIBLE, RELEVANT, AND COLLABORATIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN LOCAL HISTORY INITIATIVES. INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO HISTORICAL RESOURCES, IMPROVE REPRESENTATION IN THE COLLECTIONS, AND CONTINUE BEST PRACTICES IN THE PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COLLECTIONS. UNDERTAKE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE OHC'S INTERNAL SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE CONTINUED EFFORT OF WELCOMING ALL AND FOSTERING UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT, AND ACTION. STRENGTHEN OPERATIONS AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE QUALITY SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL VITALITY. MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT PREPARE OHC FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AND MAKE THE ORGANIZATION MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE.
- SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER ORIGINATED IN 1903 AS A PART OF THE PROGRESSIVE-ERA "IMPROVEMENT" MOVEMENT WHEN A GROUP OF CITIZENS FOUNDED THE OBERLIN IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY (LATER KNOWN AS THE OBERLIN VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY), WHICH ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVED PUBLIC HYGIENE AND SOCIAL AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES, AND HELPED TO CREATE OBERLIN'S PARK SYSTEM. IN 1958, A SEPARATE OBERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZED AND BEGAN ACQUIRING HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND ARTIFACTS. IN 1964, THE OBERLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE OBERLIN VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY MERGED TO BECOME THE OBERLIN HISTORICAL AND IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION (O.H.I.O.). IN THE EARLY 1990S, O.H.I.O. BEGAN ITS TRANSFORMATION FROM A SMALL, ALL-VOLUNTEER GROUP TO A PROFESSIONAL MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL ORGANIZATION, HIRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 1993 AND A MUSEUM EDUCATION AND TOUR COORDINATOR IN 2007. IN THE MID 1990S, OHC BEGAN SYSTEMATICALLY COLLECTING HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT ARTIFACTS AND ARCHIVES, AND BEGAN AN ACTIVE PROGRAM OF TOURS AND PRESENTATIONS ABOUT OBERLIN'S HISTORY. IN 1998, THE ORGANIZATION NAMED ITS COMPLEX OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS "THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER." TODAY THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR TOURS YEAR-ROUND. THE OHC COMPLEX INCLUDES: THE MONROE HOUSE (MOVED IN 1960), THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE (MOVED NEXT TO THE MONROE HOUSE IN 1968 AND MOVED TO ITS PRESENT SITE IN 1997), AND THE JEWETT HOUSE AND ITS BARN (IN THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATIONS, ADDED TO THE SITE IN 1966). THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS PUBLIC AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND ISSUES PERIODIC PUBLICATIONS ON HISTORICAL TOPICS. MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CITY-WIDE HISTORIC SITE INVENTORY, THE WESTWOOD CEMETERY INVENTORY, AND THE OBERLIN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT. OHC RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE MANY HISTORIES IN THE OBERLIN COMMUNITY AND IS ACTIVE IN PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING THIS UNIQUE HERITAGE, INCLUDING SUCH TOPICS AS OBERLIN'S ROLE IN THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, AND THE CIVIL WAR; THE INNOVATIVE WORK OF OBERLIN COLLEGE IN THE EDUCATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WOMEN; AND THE DISCOVERY OF A PRACTICAL METHOD OF REFINING ALUMINUM. TWENTIETH- AND TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY HISTORIES ARE CENTRAL TO OHC'S ONGOING WORK, INCLUDING ITS ACTIVE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT AND ATTENTION TO THE ROLE OF OBERLINIANS IN THE TWO WORLD WARS, KOREA, AND VIETNAM, IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, AND IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS. OHC IS PART OF THE TIME TRAVELERS' NETWORK OF HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND OF THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION'S STATEWIDE AND LOCAL PARTNERS NETWORK. IT IS A DESIGNATED FACILITY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE'S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK TO FREEDOM PROGRAM. IN 2005, OHC EARNED NATIONAL RECOGNITION WITH ITS ACCREDITATION BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS (NOW THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS). OHC WAS REACCREDITED IN 2020 AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SELF-ASSESSMENT AND PEER-REVIEW PROCESS. OHC HAS A LONG HISTORY OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PRESERVATION, INCLUDING MANAGING THE FORMER OBERLIN COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, PRESERVING AND FINDING A USE FOR THE BURRELL-KING HOUSE (NOW THE COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL), GUIDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HISTORIC TOWER OF THE NEW UNION CENTER FOR THE ARTS, AND RESTORING THE HISTORIC EXTERIOR OF THE VINEWAY BUILDING. OHC HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN SECURING HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATIONS AND HISTORICAL MARKERS AND IN PRESERVING HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION: PLEASE CONTACT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ELIZABETH SCHULTZ AT 440-774-1700 OR BY EMAIL AT DIRECTOR@OBERLINHERITAGE.ORG OR BY MAIL TO THE OBERLIN HERITAGE CENTER, P.O. BOX 0455, OBERLIN, OH 44074. INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORTS, IS AVAILABLE ON OHC'S WEBSITE AT WWW.OBERLINHERITAGECENTER.ORG.
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
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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 December 1964.
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 October 21, 2026.
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