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 1-1.25 hours. 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 Log House Tour tells the story of the history of Craftsman Farms, and how the Stickley family lived while residents. The Log House furnishings and architecture help tell the story of Gustav Stickley’s rise as a leader of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. 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 20th 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 six weekly, 2 hour sessions, held 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.