N.Y. Not-for-Profit Corporation Law § 1408: Historical societies

§ 1408. Historical societies.

(a) Historical societies may hold property.

Any incorporated historical society of this state is hereby authorized

to have and hold for the purposes of inclosure, preservation and the

erection of monuments, but not for business purposes, the sites of old

forts, battlegrounds and other historic sites, not exceeding six acres

in any one locality, which shall be exempt from taxation; and to receive

donations of articles of historic interest on the condition that in case

of its dissolution or inability to pay its debts otherwise than from its

effects, such articles shall revert to the donors or their heirs. Fees

may be charged by any such society for the exhibition of its property or

collections only to the extent that the proceeds thereof are used for

the preservation, maintenance and development of such property or

collections.

(b) Type of corporation.

An historical society is a charitable corporation under this chapter.

(c) Acquisition.

The acquisition by any such historical society of this state of any

real property for the purpose of inclosure, preservation and the

erection of monuments, is hereby declared to be for a public use. Such

property may be acquired in the manner prescribed by the eminent domain

procedure law.