The Landmark Society of Western New York

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.

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

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

• Historic preservation services
• Architectural heritage conservation
• Preservation advocacy programs
• Cultural heritage education
• Historic property management

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $40-$2,000 across multiple tiers. Described as the single largest building block of the annual budget.
2. Donations and Annual Fund: Direct financial contributions from members and community stakeholders through annual fund drives and one-time donations.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including House and Garden Tour, Ghost Walk, Inside Downtown Tour, and Cocktails & Carburetors.
4. 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.
5. Research Services: Fee-based archival research and property history services at $50-60/hour for members and non-members.
6. Travel Tours: Signature travel tours including international trips with pricing from $6,635-$13,250 per person.
7. Preservation Consulting Services: Technical advice and consulting services for historic building owners and developers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core 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

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and affiliate.

• Rochester BrainerynotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in presenting five architecture and preservation classes serving 106 attendees through Young Urban Preservationists (YUPs) program.
• Eastman Community Music SchoolnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in presenting five concerts and four community dance events at St. Joseph's Park during 2025 season.
• University of Rochester Dance DepartmentnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in sold-out staging of The Tempest by Shake on the Lake at St. Joseph's Park.
• Genesee Community Charter SchoolnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnered with teachers to incorporate local botanical and landscape history into 2nd and 3rd grade programs.
• East HousenotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Property 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 AdvisorsnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Development advisor shepherding Canal Commons rehabilitation project.
• PLAN Architectural StudiosnotableTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Architectural firm for Canal Commons rehabilitation converting historic shoe factory to apartments.
• Hamilton Stern ConstructionnotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Construction partner for Canal Commons rehabilitation project.
• CJS ArchitectsnotableTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Masterplan architects for Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation keeping historic stone mill as central iconic feature.
• Buckingham PropertiesnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered 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 FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in Clock of Nations restoration project to bring the historic timepiece back to its original neighborhood.
• ABC Streets Neighborhood AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Coalition 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered 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 AlliancenotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Coalition partner in Cobb's Hill Park preservation effort.
• National Women's Hall of FamenotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Recognized 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 FallsaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member organization - 501(C)(3) created to recognize, preserve and revitalize historic, architectural, and cultural resources of Seneca Falls.
• Mt. Morris Historical SocietyaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member organization preserving local history of Mount Morris, headquartered in Mills Mansion built in 1836.
• Greater Brockport Development Corporation (GBDC)affiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member - 501(c)(3) non-profit local development corporation formed in 2002 undertaking community development initiatives.
• Perry Main Street AssociationaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member - volunteer-led organization providing support for downtown events, community planning, and promotional projects.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/landmarksociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/LandmarkSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/landmark-society-of-western-new-york
• Instagraminstagram.com/landmarksociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&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