Volunteers provide essential support for the museum’s everyday activities. The Stickley Museum is currently seeking volunteer docents. Volunteers are also needed for special events and interpretive programs. 

Our Docent Program:

Volunteer docents give guided tours of the Log House, the central building at Craftsman Farms, lasting roughly 75 minutes. Docents should expect to be at the museum 2.5 hours total when giving a tour, to accommodate updates from staff, pre-tour assistance with visitors, the guided tour, post-tour questions with visitors, and wrap-up with staff. The Introductory Tour tells the “who, what, when, where, and why” of Craftsman Farms. The Introductory Tour provides visitors with a general overview of Gustav Stickley, his life and work, his business endeavors, his mindset, and his ambitions. Docents additionally help facilitate Open House days and specialty tours including Children and Family Tours, school tours, and private group events. Docents adhere to SMCF policies and procedures while facilitating a safe, positive, and engaging experience for museum visitors.

This is a volunteer position with the amount of volunteer commitment ranging from once a month to every week. This position will facilitate visitor engagement, connecting visitors to the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms’ collections and encouraging visitors to explore and discover more about the history of the early 20^th century, decorative arts, the Arts and Crafts Movement, and Gustav Stickley.

Volunteer Docent Skills and Responsibilities:

• Effective communication skills, patience, and approachable nature.
• Completion of The Stickley Seminar, consisting of four weekly, 2 hour sessions, held online and on-site at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms.
• Additional research and reading on off-time, including familiarizing self with collections items via the online collections database.
• Adherence to SMCF volunteer policy and procedures handbook.