Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc
Learn the Past, Be the Present, Create the Future®
Mission
Underground Railroad Education Center researches and preserves the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy for today’s social justice issues, thereby empowering people of all ages to be agents of change toward an equitable and just society.
Notes from the nonprofit
The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence is a National Register Historic Site, one of 26 sites on the NYS Underground Railroad Freedom Trail, a National Park Service Network to Freedom Site, an Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Partner Site, a NYS Path Through History Site, and a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Corridor Site. The Myers Residence has been awarded the 2015 Preservation Initiative Award - Stewardship and Exterior Restoration, and the 2016 New York State Historic Preservation Award - Project Achievement.
Underground Railroad History Project is a small shop with a huge impact! We strive to create empowering opportunities for people to Learn the Past, Be the Present, Create the Future ®
Ruling year
2004
Executive Director
Ms. Mary Elizabeth Stewart
Co-founder
Mr. Paul Michael Stewart
Main address
194 Livingston Avenue
Albany, NY 12210 USA
EIN
56-2389806
NTEE code
Cultural, Ethnic Awareness (A23)
History Museums (A54)
Commemorative Events (A84)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
* Conduct an annual public history conference attracting about 300 persons with nationally known speakers, historians, preservationists, teachers, young people, elderly, artists, musicians, vendors and community members
* Conduct walking and other tours in Albany, Troy and Schenectady on the Underground Railroad
* Publish a three-times-a-year newsletter on Underground Railroad topics
* Provide presentations and workshops in the community at libraries, and for community groups, and schools
* Restoring of Stephen and Harriet Myers National Register Historic Site - a documented UGRR site
* Conduct Young Abolitionist Teen Scholars' Institute annually
* Host July 4th Oration annually
Underground Railroad Public History Conference
Each year Underground Railroad History Project offers a diverse, multi-age focused conference exploring the story of the Underground Railroad, its legacy and its relevance for us today. The conference is interactive with offerings of lectures, dance, drumming, exhibits, hands on activities, gathering together scholars, preservationists, educators, teens, artists and the general public.
Young Abolitionist Teen Scholars' Institute
The Young Abolitionists Teen Scholars' Institute is an inter-disciplinary, service learning experience designed for urban, suburban, and rural teens aged 14-18 years that is intended to enrich classroom learning and develop leadership, literacy and work readiness skills. Using the venue of The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence, a documented Underground Railroad site located in historic Arbor Hill in the city of Albany, the participating teens learn about local Underground Railroad history and its relationship with them today as they work in small, self-selected focus groups preserving that history in various formats, investigating its relevancy for today, and making it available for the education and edification of the general public. The design of the project offers an enriching, intellectually stimulating program that encourages civic responsibility, positive behavior choices, and racial reconciliation while building literacy, work readiness, collaboration and leadership skills.
Restoration of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Reclaiming the grandeur of an 1847 Greek Revival, three story, ten room residence that was the home of African American abolitionists Stephen and Harriet Myers, central figures in the Underground Railroad Movement in the Capital Region of New York State. Stephen Myers was born enslaved in New York State and upon his manumission in 1818 rose quickly to a central activist position among Underground Railroad activists in the Capital Region of New York State. The restoration has contributed to community revitalization, creation of jobs, and paradigm changing educational programs that engage local, state, national, and international visitors.
Where we work
Awards
The Sense of Place 2005
Historic Albany Foundation
Distinguished Service Award 2015
New York African Students Association
Special Congressional Recognition 2019
Congressman Paul Tonko
Partners In Education 2017
Capital District Council for the Social Studies
Preservation Award 2008
Underground Railroad Free Press
Community Service Award 2010
Grace and Holy Innocents Church
Community Service Award 2019
African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region
Affiliations & memberships
International Coalition of Sites of Conscience 2017
National Park Service Network to Freedom 2005
Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State 2015
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Partner Site 2013
New York State Path Through History 2008
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site 2008
New York State Underground Railroad Freedom Trail 2009
National Register of Historic Places 2004
New York State Register of Historic Places 2004
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of paid participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Young adults, Older adults, Seniors, Multiracial people
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Field trip participants include students grades 4 and up youth and young adults from residential facilities, senior citizen groups, adult continuing education participants, business employee groups,
Total number of paid admissions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Adults, People of African descent
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of free participants in conferences
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People of African descent, Multiracial people, People of European descent
Related Program
Underground Railroad Public History Conference
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Multiracial people, People of African descent, People of European descent, Adolescents
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Due to the Corona Virus, our numbers were lowered in 2020. These numbers reflect individuals.
Number of paid participants in conferences
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Seniors, Young adults, People of African descent, People of European descent
Related Program
Underground Railroad Public History Conference
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of free participants of guided tours
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
At-risk youth, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Restoration of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of paid participants of guided tours
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Adolescents, Children, People of African descent, People of European descent
Related Program
Restoration of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Tour experience admission is on a sliding scale based upon age.
Total number of guided tours given
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Adolescents, Children, Families
Related Program
Restoration of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These numbers reflect groups.
Number of new grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Young adults, Seniors, Adolescents
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Grants are for programs and capital projects.
Number of donations made by board members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People of African descent, People of European descent
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of return website visitors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Adolescents
Related Program
Restoration of the Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of donors retained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults, Seniors, Adolescents
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These numbers reflect financial donors, from as little as $10/mo to $50,000. Many others donate their time, talent and expertise and historical items to further the mission.
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Activists, Artists and performers
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The numbers reflect grants awarded for programs as well as for capital projects that are related to programming.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Older adults
Related Program
Underground Railroad History Project Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Presently one of the chief goals is the completion of the restoration of The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence. Exterior restoration has been completed, except for the front and rear entries and the addition of a lift. URHPCR is also looking to create an interpretive center in a nearby building. Two people are on staff right now but URHPCR needs to increase and sustain up to fiver staff positions. Additionally, URHPCR is aiming to increase and diversify its funding streams so as to expand operations and sustain the work of the organization.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
URHPCR is implementing a fund development plan that increases major donations, capital funds, and endowment funds. Expanding grant support and memberships are additional strategies intended to help URHPCR achieve its goals.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
UHRPCR has a knowledgeable, experienced staff and board and community volunteers who collaborate constructively to implement strategies to achieve URHPCR's goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Staff has expanded. Board members are planning two major fund raisers. A major gifts campaign is being undertaken. Friend raising programs that generate funds are being implemented. Open hours at The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence have increased, which has increased visitation. Improved marketing strategies are being implemented.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
The population with whom we engage is internationally diverse through economic, age, racial, and ethnic backgrounds that are willing to listen to the stories of the Underground Railroad and how it applies to issues within our society today. For each age group, we bring something different to the table; for instance, for seniors, we do gardening. For teens, we have a program called the young abolitionist leadership Institute. Every program is designed to promote growth and be agents of change toward an equitable and just society.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
Expanded outreach to Black community residents to become board members.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc
Board of directorsas of 08/09/2022
Mr. Ron Gardner
City of Schenectady - Diversity Officer
Term: 2022 - 2022
Mr. David Hochfelder
State University of New York at Albany
Term: 2022 - 2022
Matt Kirk
Hartgen Archaeological Associates, Inc.
Brittany Beyus
Planned Parenthood
Yolanda Caldwell
Titus Enterprises
Sam Fein
County Legislator
David Hochfelder
SUNY Albany
Steven P. O'Connor
Upstate Independent Filmmakers Association
Darius Shahinfar
City of Albany
Brenda Twiggs
Retired Executive Librarian
Paul Stewart
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
Ron Gardner
City of Schenectady
Kai Earle Marion
C&S Companies
Yvonne Abunaw
Community Activist
Sara E. Anderson
University at Albany
Lisbeth Calandrino
Lisbeth Calandrino & Associates
Taknika Mickey
Twin County Recovery Services
Latisha Owens-Gonzalez
Albany Housing Authority
Ethel Walker
Walker Enterprises, Unlimited, LLC
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 08/09/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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