The Hanford Mills Museum at East Meredith

“The organization reported a zero amount on Form 990, Part VIII,Statement of Revenue, line 1g, because the museum did not capitalize its collections, as allowed under SFAS 116.”

“Hanford Mills Museum is mid nineteenth through mid-twentieth century rural industrial complex and farmstead. The Mill's significance comes from its authenticity. It is an example of an original, rural industrial complex which operated for over 125 years as a sawmill, gristmill and woodworking shop, and was powered through the years by water wheels, water turbines, steam engines, gasoline engines and electric motors. Power generated by the historically accurate recreation of the 1895 steam boiler plant augments power generated by the 1926 water wheel which powers the mill's sawmill, gristmill and woodworking shops. Gasoline and electric power is also demonstrated. The Museum interprets the site's industrial, commercial, agricultural and domestic activities; and explores changing technology and relationships between rural and urban industry and economy. The Museum preserves and maintains a 70-acre rural industrial historic site, buildings, and object and archival collections; collects and documents the history of the mill and its community; and develops and presents substantive exhibits, publications, and public and educational programs. Hanford Mills' 16 historic buildings and millpond are centered on about 15 acres; the fields, nature trail, woods and parking lot comprise another 50+ acres. The Museum consistently prioritizes and implements capital and preservation initiatives to steward its historic structures and site.The object collections include industrial machinery, machine accessories and parts, power train and production artifacts, finished and unfinished products of the business, and other related items. The majority of these artifacts are original to the site and can be traced to the early use of the sawmill (1846-1860), the Hanford occupation (1860 to 1945), or to the last mill owners, the Pizza brothers (1945-1967). These artifacts are important to the interpretation of Hanford Mills and are also unique in the fact that they constitute a relatively complete collection of mill-related artifacts still found in their original location. Most other mill museums are collections of artifacts donated from elsewhere since many mills were dismantled after they went out of service. Hanford Mills is unique in that much of its collection remained on site throughout its history as an operating business and later as a museum. The main focus of the Museum's mission is the interpretation of changes in rural culture through the exploration of industry, making the object and archival collections very important to furthering the Museum's exempt purpose.”

“The Endowment is operating under a trust agreement where income is to be paid over to the Mill for use in its general operating fund.”

“COST OF GOODS SOLD REPORTED AS EXPENSE $4920 Reported on endowment $37033”

“Cost of goods sold reported as expense $4920”