Western Sonoma County Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of the Western Sonoma County Historical Society (WSCHS) is to preserve the history of Western Sonoma County by archiving photographs, artifacts, oral histories, and by the preservation of historic buildings. WSCHS also operates a Museum located in a 1917 Railroad Station in Sebastopol. WSCHS also maintains and operates the remaining 2/12 acres of Luther Burbanks Experiment Farm in Sebastopol. The Farm includes Burbank's restored Cottage, Burbank's reconstructed barn, plus many of Burbank's original plants.
- Income
- $61,256
- Spending
- $47,932
- Reserves
- 26.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 37%
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 (3)
- $19,768 spent. The preservation and development of the remaining 2 acres of Luther Burbanks Experiment Farm in Sebastopol (originally approximately 26 acres). Under the direction of the Farm Director and a contracted horticulturist the work is performed by a group of volunteers who perform, on at least a weekly basis, the maintenance of the grounds, Burbanks restored Cottage (restored by the WSCHS) and Barn (rebuilt by the WSCHS). They also maintain a nursery for the propagation of plants for sale and for Farm use, many of these plants are cultivated from original Burbank stock. The Farm is open to the public, and tours, either self-guided or docent led, are available. The Farm is also visited by many school and horticultural groups in the area, and by Burbank fans from all over the world.
- $2,452 spent. The WSCHS operates the West County Museum in Sebastopol. The Museum is housed in a Railroad Station built in 1917. The building was restored by WSCHS volunteers in 1993. The Museum offers exhibits which are rotated regularly and are open to the public. There is also a permanent section of the Museum which provides a history of the area. Under the direction of the Museum Director volunteers perform many functions, including: creation of exhibits; archiving of photos, artifacts, documents; recording oral histories; maintenance of the property. The Museum has digitized more than 6,000 photos, artifacts, and newspaper articles, and maintains the images in a software program designed for museums. The Museum also reaches out to the community to provide information to service groups, schools etc. in the form of oral, photographic or video presentations. The Museum also serves as a reference resource for people researching personal or general history of the area.
- $4,438 spent. Each year in October, for 21 years, the WSCHS organizes the Sebastopol Cemetery Walk. This is performed at the Farm and the adjacent Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The program consists of six or seven skits based on area historical figures and events, primarily on people buried in the cemetery. Scripts are written and performed by volunteers. On the first Friday and Saturday night of October four groups of 24 people are guided through the Farm and the Cottage to the six or seven locations in the cemetery where the skits are performed. This event is the major fundraiser for WSCHS and is a sell out every year.
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 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 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 March 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 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.