Brunswick — Pejepscot Historical Society invites the public to an Open House on Saturday, March 30, about 2019 volunteering opportunities. The information session includes refreshments, an overview of PHS volunteer positions and resource materials, conversation with veteran volunteers in various aspects of the organization, and brief site tours.  

The society seeks volunteer docents, or tour guides, for its two historic house museums—the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum and Skolfield-Whittier House—as well as volunteers to work in the offices, collections, and doing light carpentry and maintenance.  

“Like many non-profits, we really would not exist but for the passion and commitment of thousands of volunteers over the decades,” said Executive Director Larissa Vigue Picard. “Their contributions are priceless.”  

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to attend the Open House, at which they will sign up for follow-up orientation and training sessions with more in-depth museum tours specific to their interest. These sessions will be scheduled according to volunteer availability.  

Docents receive a training manual and must shadow experienced guides in the spring before leading their own tours. Both house museums open on Memorial Day Weekend and are open through the fall. Standard tours are 45-60 minutes in length. Docents must have an interest in history, a desire to work with the public and people of all ages, good presentation skills, and be able to climb stairs and be on their feet for at least an hour at a time.  

Volunteers in the PHS offices, collections, and for buildings and grounds work must be enthusiastic about local history and supporting a community organization. Volunteer options in these categories include light carpentry and maintenance projects, organizing collection items and working on exhibits, digitization collections and updating the database, and assisting with programs and promotion. Such work can start immediately following the orientation session.  

All volunteers receive free admission to the museums, free access to archival research, a t-shirt or baseball cap, and an invitation to an annual volunteer celebration.  

For more information on volunteering at PHS, visit www.pejepscothistorical.org/about-us/volunteer.  

The Pejepscot Historical Society preserves, interprets, and promotes the rich history of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, through its collections, programs, and historic house museums. 

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