The A. C. Gilbert Heritage Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charitable organization incorporated in the State of Ohio. The Society preserves, promotes, and interprets the legacy of educational toys produced and sold by the A. C. Gilbert Company of New Haven, Connecticut, for the inspiration and benefit of students, educators, and collectors across the United States and around the world. To this end, the Society:
- Informs and educates the public about the products of the A. C. Gilbert Company, including Magic Sets, Microscopes, Physics Sets, Erector Sets, Electrical Engineering Sets, Chemistry Sets, Telescopes, and Erec-Tronic Sets manufactured between the years 1909-1967, and how these products inspired generations of children in the fields of engineering and science.
- Encourages and provides documentation for the collection, care, valuation, and understanding of these engineering and science products.
- Explores and documents the life of the company’s founder, A. C. Gilbert, to form a better understanding of his interest in and contribution to the education of generations of children in engineering and science.
- Organizes and sponsors regional and national meetings for the purpose of exhibiting, interpreting, exchanging, and selling Gilbert products, including public education about the inspiration, design, production, and distribution of these products.
The ACGHS was formed in 1991 by the late William Harrison, III. Membership includes a quarterly newsletter, annual membership directory, and access to an enormous trove of digital records and past newsletters on our website. Join the ACGHS.
Tax-Exempt Status & Disclosure of Public Records
The A. C. Gilbert Heritage Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charitable organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 76-0804560.
The following documents are posted in compliance with IRS public inspection requirements:
- Exemption Application (Form 1023-EZ, filed 8/21/2021)
- IRS Tax-Exemption Ruling Letter (11/5/2021 | initial classification as Private Foundation under Section 509(a) | PDF)
- IRS Tax-Exemption Ruling Letter (12/13/2022 | re-classification as Public Charity under Section 509(a)(2) | PDF)
- ACGHS Bylaws (revised 6/5/2022)
- ACGHS Conflict of Interest Policy (adopted 6/5/2022)
- Form 990-N (e-Postcard) Summary (2/8/2023)
Inquiries about these documents and any information related to the Society’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status should be directed to the president. (Contact the ACGHS President)
ACGHS Newsletters
Newsletters are published in March, June, September, and December. Select a thumbnail above to view pictures of sample newsletter articles, including:
- Walking Giant Inventory – The newsletter contains articles with tips on restoring your Erector sets just the same as when they left the factory. This article on the inventory of the 1948-50 No. 12 1/2 sets appeared in the March 2005 issue of the newsletter (Volume 15, No. 1).
- Repairing Cardboard Boxes – The newsletter contains tips on how to repair or restore parts and sets. This article on how to repair boxes and flatten bent inserts and manuals appeared in the March 2005 issue of the newsletter (Volume 15, No. 1).
- 1958 No. 10072 Musical Ferris Wheel Set Layout Diagram.
- Gilbert Kaster Sets – The newsletter contains many reviews on non-Erector Gilbert products. This article on the metal casting Kaster Sets appeared in the June 2005 issue of the newsletter (Volume 15, No. 2).
Retrieve an ACGHS Newsletter Index (17 Pages | 194k | PDF), which includes an index of articles from February 1991 – March 2022. A. C. Gilbert Heritage Society members can retrieve back issues of ACGHS Newsletters in digital format by accessing our ACGHS Newsletters page (members must be logged into this website to access this page). If you are not a member, back issues of newsletters are $6 each. To request back issues, please contact our Archives Manager.