How can I volunteer at a local museum?

Most museums, especially smaller ones and historical societies, rely heavily on volunteers. Check the museum's website or call to ask about volunteer programs. Common roles include greeting visitors, giving tours, helping with events, working in the gift shop and assisting staff with collections or archives.

Expect an application, a brief interview and some training. Behind the scenes work with artifacts usually requires additional instruction in handling and record keeping, because protecting the collection comes first.

Volunteering is a great way to learn about history and objects, meet people with similar interests and support your community. If you are a collector or have a trade background, such as woodworking or railroading, let the museum know. Specialized knowledge can be very useful for identifying and interpreting items in a collection.