The Landmark Society of Western New York
The Landmark Society of Western New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic preservation organization founded in 1937, serving a nine-county region around Rochester, NY through membership, advocacy, technical advice, education, events, and stewardship of historic sites.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersRochester, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Landmark Society of Western New York does
The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1937 in Rochester, NY by Helen Ellwanger to protect the Campbell-Whittlesey mansion, and it is a charter member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization covers a nine-county service area in western New York and operates from Warner Castle in Highland Park, a Monroe County-owned 1854 Scottish-style castle to which it relocated in 2019. Its activities span advocacy, technical advice, regulatory designation work, education, direct stewardship of historic properties, and convening of the regional preservation community.
The Landmark Society generates revenue across seven distinct streams: annual membership dues in eleven tiers ranging from $40 to $2,000+, donations through the annual fund, ticketed events (House and Garden Tour, Ghost Walk, Inside Downtown Tour, Cocktails & Carburetors), book and publication sales through its e-commerce storefront, fee-based Landmark Research services ($50-$60/hour), professional preservation consulting, and high-margin signature travel tours priced $6,635-$13,250 per person. Its product surface includes the quarterly Landmarks Magazine, the Walk the Walk school performance program (over 1,200 students annually from 13 schools), the Windows Workforce Training Program, Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs), self-guided walking tours, and direct management of Stone-Tolan House, Ellwanger Garden, and St. Joseph's Park.
Operationally, the organization runs on a hybrid community-and-event-driven go-to-market model anchored by membership as the "single largest building block" of its annual budget, supplemented by government and grant funding (NYSCA, Monroe County, NY State Historic Preservation Office), grassroots coalition advocacy, and a board-governed nonprofit structure. In 2025 it documented approximately 500 historic properties through surveys, responded to 185+ contractor requests via Old House Help, completed nearly 700 property National Register nominations, and secured the ninth Rochester Preservation District (Cobbs Hill Park), demonstrating a portfolio that combines member services, regulatory influence, educational programming, and direct property stewardship.
The Landmark Society of Western New York firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Landmark Society of Western New York
- Legal name
- The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc.
- Website
- https://landmarksociety.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Landmark Society of Western New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic preservation organization founded in 1937, serving a nine-county region around Rochester, NY through membership, advocacy, technical advice, education, events, and stewardship of historic sites.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Landmark Society of Western New York industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Historic Preservation Services
- NAICS
- Historical Sites (712120)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)
Keywords
Where The Landmark Society of Western New York is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Landmark Society of Western New York business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $40-$2,000 across multiple tiers. Described as the single largest building block of the annual budget.
- Donations and Annual Fund: Direct financial contributions from members and community stakeholders through annual fund drives and one-time donations.
- Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including House and Garden Tour, Ghost Walk, Inside Downtown Tour, and Cocktails & Carburetors.
- Book and Publication Sales: Sale of preservation-themed books including Rochester Routes, Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad, Buried Treasures in Mt. Hope Cemetery, The Window Sash Bible, and The Historic House Handbook.
- Research Services: Fee-based archival research and property history services at $50-60/hour for members and non-members.
- Travel Tours: Signature travel tours including international trips with pricing from $6,635-$13,250 per person.
- Preservation Consulting Services: Technical advice and consulting services for historic building owners and developers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Senior membership with basic benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual membership for single adult |
| Subscription | Annual | Government and Nonprofit organizational membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Couple/Family membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Patron level supporting member |
| Subscription | Annual | Pillar level with House and Garden Tour ticket |
| Subscription | Annual | Cornerstone level with tour tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Keystone level with Inside Downtown Tour |
| Subscription | Annual | Corinthian level with Inside Downtown Tour tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Finial level with Preservation Conference access |
| Subscription | Annual | Pinnacle level top tier with conference access |
| Subscription | Annual | Realtor Level for real estate professionals |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Travel Tour - Double Occupancy Haydn C-1 Cabin |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Travel Tour - Single Occupancy Mozart Suite |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Research Services - Non-member rate |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Research Services - Member rate |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Research Services - $150+ Supporter rate |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels13 records
The Landmark Society of Western New York product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Landmark Society of Western New York is a nonprofit historic preservation organization founded in 1937 that safeguards architectural heritage across a nine-county region of Western New York. It sells and delivers preservation consulting, technical advice, and research services to property owners; educational programs such as Walk the Walk for schools and the Windows Workforce Training Program for tradespeople; consumer offerings including annual memberships, the quarterly Landmarks magazine, Landmark Travels heritage tours, self-guided walking tours, event series, and admission to the historic Stone-Tolan House and Ellwanger Garden properties.
Product overview
The Landmark Society of Western New York operates as a nonprofit historic preservation organization offering a portfolio of programs and services centered on protecting the region's architectural heritage. Core offerings include a membership program with multiple giving levels, the quarterly Landmarks Magazine, and an online shop selling preservation-themed books and publications. Educational initiatives encompass the Walk the Walk school performance program, Windows Workforce Training Program for traditional trades, and Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs) for younger members. The organization manages historic sites including the Stone-Tolan House and Ellwanger Garden, and provides historic designation services, technical advice, research services, and preservation consulting. Additional programs include Landmark Travels tours, self-guided walking tours, annual Preservation Awards, Five to Revive endangered properties list, and the Genesee Valley Rural Revitalization Grant Program. Fundraising events include Cocktails & Carburetors and an annual House and Garden Tour.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Annual Membership Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 700 properties now eligible for historic tax credit programs through completed National Register district nominations
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Landmark Society of Western New York
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The Landmark Society of Western New York technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Landmark Society of Western New York partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and affiliate.
- Rochester BrainerynotablePartner in presenting five architecture and preservation classes serving 106 attendees through Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs) program.
- Eastman Community Music SchoolnotablePartner in presenting five concerts and four community dance events at St. Joseph's Park during 2025 season.
- University of Rochester Dance DepartmentnotablePartner in sold-out staging of The Tempest by Shake on the Lake at St. Joseph's Park.
- Genesee Community Charter SchoolnotablePartnered with teachers to incorporate local botanical and landscape history into 2nd and 3rd grade programs.
- East HousenotableProperty owner of historic Utz & Dunn Shoe Company plant (67-89 Canal Street) converted to Canal Commons affordable housing. Received 2025 Barber Conable Award.
- MM Development AdvisorsnotableDevelopment advisor shepherding Canal Commons rehabilitation project.
- PLAN Architectural StudiosnotableArchitectural firm for Canal Commons rehabilitation converting historic shoe factory to apartments.
- Hamilton Stern ConstructionnotableConstruction partner for Canal Commons rehabilitation project.
- CJS ArchitectsnotableMasterplan architects for Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation keeping historic stone mill as central iconic feature.
- Buckingham PropertiesnotablePartnered to return the Clock of Nations to its original vicinity. Buckingham Properties, which redeveloped the Midtown Tower as Tower280, led restoration efforts including cosmetic and mechanical repairs.
- Rochester-Area Community FoundationnotablePartner in Clock of Nations restoration project to bring the historic timepiece back to its original neighborhood.
- ABC Streets Neighborhood AssociationcoreCoalition partner in securing official City of Rochester protection for Cobb's Hill Park. Led grassroots coalition effort resulting in unanimous City Council approval of Cobbs Hill Park Preservation District.
- Rochester Department of Environmental Services (DES)corePartnered with coalition to restructure Cobb's Hill Park designation application. DES representative Tom Kicior recommended more flexible Preservation District approach. DES served as formal applicant.
- Rochester Olmsted Parks AlliancenotableCoalition partner in Cobb's Hill Park preservation effort.
- National Women's Hall of FamenotableRecognized through 2025 Barber Conable Award for rehabilitation of 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill as home for the Hall of Fame. Over a decade of committed work to tell women's rights story.
- Preserve Seneca FallsaffiliateAffiliate member organization - 501(C)(3) created to recognize, preserve and revitalize historic, architectural, and cultural resources of Seneca Falls.
- Mt. Morris Historical SocietyaffiliateAffiliate member organization preserving local history of Mount Morris, headquartered in Mills Mansion built in 1836.
- Greater Brockport Development Corporation (GBDC)affiliateAffiliate member - 501(c)(3) non-profit local development corporation formed in 2002 undertaking community development initiatives.
- Perry Main Street AssociationaffiliateAffiliate member - volunteer-led organization providing support for downtown events, community planning, and promotional projects.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Landmark Society of Western New York competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Historic New England: Regional nonprofit that operates a portfolio of historic house museums, offers membership, publishes preservation content, and provides property research and education services across New England. Closest analog in scope, revenue model, and programmatic mix.
- Historic Charleston Foundation: Regional preservation nonprofit that combines historic property stewardship, advocacy for preservation zoning and districts, technical advice to property owners, and membership-based programming. Comparable to Landmark Society's mix of stewardship and advocacy in a single historic city.
- Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia: Regional nonprofit preservation advocacy and education organization providing technical services, walking tours, and member-supported programming in a historic urban market. Directly comparable in community-driven preservation model.
- Preservation Virginia: Statewide nonprofit that operates multiple historic house museums, runs an endangered properties list (Most Endangered Historic Places), provides advocacy, and offers membership programs. Strong analog in operating historic sites while running preservation advocacy.
- Preservation League of New York State: Statewide nonprofit historic preservation advocacy organization offering advocacy, technical assistance, an endangered properties list, and educational programming. Directly comparable in mission, member-supported model, and preservation consulting services, operating at state rather than regional level.
- New York Landmarks Conservancy: New York City-based nonprofit providing preservation consulting, technical advice, advocacy, and a Sacred Sites program for religious institutions. Comparable in preservation consulting, technical assistance, and member-supported advocacy model.
Regional players
- Buffalo History Museum: Regional history museum in western New York operating historic exhibits, education programs, and membership. Comparable in operating model and regional geography but focuses on museum exhibition rather than preservation advocacy.
- Genesee Country Village & Museum: Large living-history museum in the same western New York region that operates historic structures, offers membership, and delivers school and family programming. Adjacent rather than directly competing, but shares geographic market and overlapping educational mission.
Broad incumbents
- National Trust for Historic Preservation: The national umbrella preservation organization of which the Landmark Society is a charter member. Operates a broader portfolio of historic sites, advocacy, and member programs but covers national scope rather than a single region.
- Victorian Society in America: National membership organization dedicated to preservation of 19th-century architecture, providing education, advocacy, and conferences. Comparable in educational programming and member-based preservation advocacy at national scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Landmark Society of Western New York social profiles
Digital presenceThe Landmark Society of Western New York financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Landmark Society of Western New York leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
The Landmark Society of Western New York funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Landmark Society of Western New York M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Landmark Society of Western New York
What does The Landmark Society of Western New York do?
The Landmark Society of Western New York is a nonprofit historic preservation organization founded in 1937 that safeguards architectural heritage across a nine-county region of Western New York. It sells and delivers preservation consulting, technical advice, and research services to property owners; educational programs such as Walk the Walk for schools and the Windows Workforce Training Program for tradespeople; consumer offerings including annual memberships, the quarterly Landmarks magazine, Landmark Travels heritage tours, self-guided walking tours, event series, and admission to the historic Stone-Tolan House and Ellwanger Garden properties.
Is The Landmark Society of Western New York a public or private company?
The Landmark Society of Western New York is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Landmark Society of Western New York founded?
The Landmark Society of Western New York was founded in 1937. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Landmark Society of Western New York based?
The Landmark Society of Western New York is headquartered in Rochester, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Landmark Society of Western New York make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Annual Fund, event Tickets, book and Publication Sales, research Services, travel Tours and preservation Consulting Services.
Who are The Landmark Society of Western New York's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Historic New England, Historic Charleston Foundation, Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Preservation Virginia, Preservation League of New York State and New York Landmarks Conservancy. Regional players are Buffalo History Museum and Genesee Country Village & Museum. Broad incumbents are National Trust for Historic Preservation and Victorian Society in America.
Does The Landmark Society of Western New York have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Landmark Society of Western New York.
What industry is The Landmark Society of Western New York in?
The Landmark Society of Western New York's product category is Historic Preservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAE, Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation, with a secondary code of THAJACAC, Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites. Its NAICS code is 712120 and its SIC code is 7997.