Get Involved:
Volunteer
DuPage County Historical Museum is always looking for volunteers. Below is a
listing of the current opportunities. Please complete the online Volunteer Application.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the Wheaton Park District,
please visit www.wheatonparkdistrict.com.
Current Positions Available
Reception Desk Volunteer
Collections Volunteer, Objects
Collections Volunteer, Archives
Research Volunteer
Museum Docent
Position Title: Reception Desk
Volunteer
Reception desk volunteers greet visitors at the reception desk on the Museum's main
floor during the Museum's open hours on Saturday and
Sundays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Additional volunteers may be needed during special
events, exhibit openings and programs. The reception desk volunteer greets
visitors, offers an orientation to familiarize them with the building, layout and
exhibits, and answers general questions.
Requirements: Reception desk volunteers must be outgoing, people-oriented
individuals. Knowledge or interest in learning local history is essential. Some
knowledge of DuPage County history is helpful and appropriate related history
readings will be required.
Time Commitment: 9 hours per month
Position Title: Collections Volunteer,
Objects
Object volunteers help to conduct inventory of the Museum's three-dimensional
collections. The volunteers will work to locate and update the object's file and
card catalog entry.
Requirements: Objects volunteers must be thorough, detail-oriented
individuals. For some areas, specific object knowledge is desired. Volunteers will
receive training on the Museum's procedures and general artifact handling
guidelines. Experience with data entry and computer software will be valuable as
the project moves forward. Volunteers will also assist with evaluations of
collection pieces and identify possible restoration projects. Some knowledge of
DuPage County history is helpful and appropriate related history readings will be
required.
Time Commitment: 9 hours per month
Position Title: Collections Volunteer,
Archives
Archive volunteers help to conduct inventory of the Museum's photography and
document collections as well as maintain the research library. Archives volunteers
help process the Museum's collections of manuscripts, maps, photographs and other
2-dimensional materials. The volunteers will work to locate and update the object's
file and card catalog entry. Volunteers will also assist with evaluations of
collection pieces and identify possible restoration projects.
Requirements: Volunteers must be thorough, detail-oriented individuals.
Previous library or archival experience is desired. Some knowledge of archival
management would be helpful, but archives volunteers do receive training on the
Museums procedures and on general archival handling. Experience with data entry and
computer software will be valuable as the digital catalog project moves forward.
Some knowledge of DuPage County history is helpful and appropriate related history
readings will be required.
Time Commitment: 9 hours per month
Position Title: Research
Volunteer
Research volunteers assist the staff with questions and inquiries regarding genealogy, DuPage County history, land use, photographs, maps and much more.
Requirements: Volunteers must be out-going, people oriented, and interact
well with children of all ages. Volunteers are expected to be able to vary
presentation style to suit both adults and children. Previous educational
experience would be useful. Some knowledge of DuPage County history is helpful and
appropriate related history readings will be required.
Time Commitment: 9 hours per month
Position Title: Education
Volunteer
Education Volunteers work with the Museum Educator in the presentation of
participatory programs to school groups and family programs. Volunteers will greet
visiting groups, demonstrate the program activities, work with individual
participants and other tasks. In addition, the volunteers answer general questions
about the Museum and provide supervision. Potential programs include holiday
related arts and crafts, photography projects and Museum summer camps.
Requirements: Education Volunteers must be out-going, people oriented, and
interact well with children of all ages. Volunteers are expected to be able to vary
presentation style to suit both adults and children. Previous educational
experience would be useful. Some knowledge of DuPage County history is helpful and
appropriate related history readings will be required.
Time Commitment: 9 hours per month
Position Title: Museum
Docent
The docents are responsible for leading groups on guided tours. These tours will
include the history of the building, architecture, permanent exhibits, as well as
changing exhibits. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes and docents will be
responsible for follow up questions and needs of the group.
Requirements: Although docents will go through extensive training,
previous knowledge of DuPage County history will be helpful. Docents must be
comfortable speaking in front of large groups. Docents must be able to adjust tours
to the needs of the different groups (i.e. school children versus a group of
seniors). Occasionally, tours will be altered to visitors requests, and docents
must be able to adapt (i.e. church groups may be particularly interested in the
history of religious life throughout the County). Advanced notice of these
situations will be given so that docents can adequately prepare.
Time Commitment: 6 hours per month
