Here are some additional details about the various volunteer positions that the Society currently has available. If you have any questions about these positions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 313.833.1419 for more details. You may also submit our preliminary volunteer application and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you directly.

Docent/Gallery Guide/Bus Tours –
There are several great ways in which you can help bring the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum to life for our visitors.

Docents: First, you can join our docent corps and lead tours of the Museums to schoolchildren and other groups. This is a perfect opportunity for those who love working with children and are not afraid to speak in front of small groups. Please note: docents must be willing to provide at least 2 hours/week during the school year and most of the opportunities are on weekday mornings and afternoons.

Gallery Guides/Bus Tours: This is a more flexible way to help us bring the Museums to life. Gallery Guides work on weekends and during special events to ensure that our visitors can easily navigate the Museums. You’ll receive special training on how to present exhibits and engage visitors. Again, this opportunity is more flexible, with opportunities every weekend and during special events.

Special Events and Programs
The Society is always looking for outgoing, high-energy people to help us with our programs and special events. Volunteers in this area register and greet guests, serve as Society “chaperones” on tours in the community and work our fundraisers and parties. Programs are often scheduled in the evening and on weekends, so this is a very flexible opportunity!

Clerical and Administrative
Working in the administrative offices at the Detroit Historical Museum, our staff is always looking for folks who are eager to help us with special projects or ongoing tasks. Most of these volunteer opportunities are on weekdays. Some opportunities are project-oriented and time-specific, while other opportunities are ongoing.

Historical and Archival Research
Volunteers in this area help our curatorial and collections team with their tasks – from cataloguing artifacts to completing research assignments. Most of these assignments are on weekdays and training will be provided. Please note: these volunteer opportunities are primarily at the Collections Resource Center which is located at Historic Fort Wayne in Southwest Detroit. Secure parking is provided.

Carpentry, painting, repair and maintenance
If you’re handy and inclined to help – the Detroit Historical Museum and Dossin Great Lakes Museum need you! Put your skills and talents to use making sure that the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum look as good as they possibly can for our visitors. Opportunities are available on weekdays and weekends.

Marketing/Public Relations
You can help us get the word out about our great programs, exhibits and events by joining the PR and marketing team in their efforts. Opportunities are primarily at the Detroit Historical Museum and during weekdays, although from time to time special projects might be completed on weekends and weeknights.