Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
Do you have an interest in history? Do you have a special skill? If so, the Bostonian Society is looking for your help. TBS operates the Old State House Museum and a library of Boston's 18th-century history. We rely on the skills and dedication of the volunteers and interns who generously share their enthusiasm and expertise, and we will work one-on-one with anyone interested in a volunteer or internship position.If you are interested in volunteering or interning for the Bostonian Society, please fill out and return the application below to: Volunteer Coordinator, 206 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109. If you are applying for an internship, please follow the directions outlined in the specific posting. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Ashley Martin, at (617) 720-1713 x10, or by email for additional information.
Download application here.
Public Programs and Education
Position: Museum Docent
Description: A part-time volunteer position in the Old State House Museum for outgoing individuals who enjoy history and working with the public. TRaining will be provided.
Responsibilities:
- Facilitate a positive museum-going experience for visitors
- Interpret the history and significance of the Old State House to visitors
- Greet visitors upon entry
- Attend galleries and interact with visitors
- Assist visitors and answer questions about the Old State House, Boston history, and local tourist information
Qualifications:
- Must be outgoing and comfortable speaking to groups of people
- Interest in history or education
- Ability to move throughout a four story historic structure and stand for long stretches of time
- Must be able to commit to a set number of weekly hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day
Please contact Ashley Martin for more information: 617-720-1713 x10 or email.
Development
There are no development volunteer opportunities at the time.
Library and Special Collections
Volunteer Openings:
There are no library volunteer opportunities at the time.
Internship Openings:
There are no library internships available at this time.
Museum Collections and Curation
Volunteer Openings:
The Bostonian Society accepts applications for volunteers in the object collections department all year long. Volunteers help with research, cataloging, and record keeping associated with the objects and daily operations of the collections department. Previous experience working with museum collections and knowledge of collection management practices, American history, or decorative arts is preferred. To apply, please submit a volunteer application to the Volunteer Coordinator as directed above.
2010 Bostonian Society Summer Collections Internship
The Bostonian Society is offering a summer internship to work with the object collections at the Old State House Museum. Applicants should be a college senior or graduate student in museum studies, American history, art history, or decorative arts. Interns must possess basic knowledge of curatorial and collections management practices, interest in Boston history, strong writing skills, patience to work with fragile objects, and attention to detail. This is an unpaid internship with flexible hours, ideally 10-20 hours/week.
2010 Summer Internship project includes:
*Assisting with routine collections maintenance
*Cataloging, researching, and re-housing the museum’s furniture collection
*Reconciling documentation of artifacts and consolidating and improving artifact accession files
*Writing a feature for our museum newsletter at completion of project
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume, with three references, to Adele Barbato, Acting Collections Manager, 206 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02109, or by email to adele@bostonhistory.org.
