The Volunteer Program

Jefferson County Historical Society

The Volunteer Program at the Jefferson County Historical Society is a vital part of our Museum operations. With ever increasing commitments for utilities, insurance and maintenance, it becomes more difficult for our Society to meet the staffing demands of our museum functions. Your volunteer help allows our staff to accomplish more good work with less time and impact to the museum budget. Volunteer hours are tracked for use as matching resources in grant application. Volunteers are also invited to two honorary luncheons per year, one in the summer and one in the winter, as a small token of our appreciation for their service to our organization.

Short-Term Opportunities

Events Volunteers- We are actively seeking volunteers to staff our special events. If you have a few hours on March 15, please consider helping us out for our Easter activities between Noon and 4pm. On Thursday and Friday, May 15-16 we'll be having all-day living history programs for the schools called Heritage Days. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, please let us know by phone or e-mail to info"at"jeffersoncountyhistory.org.

Standing Volunteer Opportunities

Desk Reception- available hours M-F 1-5PM. Volunteers in this position answer telephones, greet museum visitors, make museum store sales, and answer patron questions. Training is provided. This position is ideal for volunteers with physical mobility challenges.

Museum Docent- on call. Volunteers in this position guide school and group tours through the museum and answer patron questions. Regular training is required (min. twice annually). This position requires volunteers to speak clearly and confidently, and be able to manage stairs.

House and Grounds Assistant- available hours M-F 10AM-5PM. Volunteers in this position assist the museum custodian in routine indoor and outdoor maintenance. Some typical tasks include gardening, mowing, winter shoveling, trimming hedges, painting, or general cleaning. Other more artistic tasks may be available for advanced volunteers. Training is provided. Tasks may be tailored to interests and ability.

Research Assistant- available hours M-F 10AM-5PM. Volunteers in this position help the Curators of Collection and/or Education research historical materials for the development of programs or exhibits. Work may lead to publication opportunities for the volunteer. This position requires the use of stairs.

Collections Management Assistant- available hours T-F 10AM-5PM. Volunteers in this position assist the Curator of Collections in accessioning, inventorying, documenting, curating, conserving and maintaining the permanent and educational collections at the museum. Volunteers may also assist in the development and construction of museum displays. Special training is required and provided. This position requires the intensive use of stairs.

Standing Committees- There are also regular volunteer opportunities available through service on the following standing committees:

Finance and Development- is charged with recommending ways and means to the Board for underwriting its operations and future development; and for providing internal audit control over the Treasurer. This committee plans, organizes and executes fundraising events, plans funding campaign drives, conducts internal audits, and assists the director in compiling the annual operating budget. This committee also assists the director in annual and long-range development planning. They meet every fourth Wednesday morning at 8:30am.

Program Committee- is charged with recommending policy to the Board for museum programming. The committee also assists the staff in planning, coordinating, and executing educational and public outreach programs. They meet every first Monday of the month at 10:00am.

Collections and Museum Committee- is charged with recommending policy for the care of collections and exhibits. This committee assists the staff in planning, researching, and constructing exhibits, and with the conservation of collections. The Collections and Museum Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00pm.

Buildings and Grounds Committee- is charged with recommending policy to the Board concerning the maintenance and use of Society properties. This committee also assists the staff with maintenance chores (mowing, cleaning, trimming), seasonal clean-up, gardening, and light repairs. They meet every first Thursday of the month at 12:00pm.

Publications Committee- is charged with recommending policy to the Board for advancing our mission through publications. This committee produces the semi-annual Bulletin and recommends manuscripts to the Board for publication.

Membership Committee- is charged with recommending membership categories and policy to the Board. They assist the staff in the recruitment, retention and maintenance of membership.

To volunteer for any of these committees, contact the museum director at 782-3491 or at director"at"jeffersoncountyhistory.org