North Tonawanda History Museum © Current Volunteer Needs

The North Tonawanda History Museum’s increasingly busy schedule and programming has resulted in an urgent need for additional volunteers to perform general clerical functions in the Museum. The Museum is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. In addition to the regular hours, programs and events are scheduled evenings and weekends as well. Additional hours will be added when volunteers are trained who are available to handle office assignments and meet with Museum visitors. Volunteers can select hours appropriate to their personal schedules; however, regular schedules, such as mornings or afternoons or evenings on a specific day or days of the week are preferred. For a volunteer application, visit the Museum at 314 Oliver Street or download one from the Museum website at www.nthistorymuseum.org under the Membership & Other Participation section. Call 213-0554 or email to nthistorymuseum@aol.com for additional information.

Volunteers are now being actively recruited to serve in a number of capacities. Those with a free hour or two occasionally can be used also, but current volunteer opportunities include:

• WALKING TOUR GUIDES: Individuals interested in being trained as volunteer walking tour guides for Wednesday evenings from 6 - 7:30 p.m., 1st Wednesday of June through last Wednesday of September; training in February through May required.

• CATALOGUING/COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT: Individuals with computer skills who also enjoy working with details are needed to work on cataloguing and fine tuning of the format of museum collections management software. Experience with or knowledge of PastPerfect museum software a plus but not required. Must be detail-oriented and able to familiarize self with new software and assist in training other volunteers in its use.

• ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM: Individuals needed to be trained to interview senior citizens using a camcorder or digital voice recorder, requires travel to the homes of the individuals and repeat trips for each interviewee; individuals with experience in duplicating and/or editing of digital materials.

• HISTORIC TREASURES TOUR: Individuals needed to serve as hosts/hostesses or assistants for the July 31 walking/driving tour of ten historic homes, five historic church buildings, and four additional historic sites; volunteers to assist in the planning and preparations phase from now until that date.

• HAUNTED HISTORY WALKS: October 14, 21, and 28. Individuals needed with experience putting on skits, costume makers, creating scenery, assistants of all kinds, group leaders or teachers with classes wishing to participate.

• WRITERS OF HISTORY, RESEARCHERS: Many, many interesting roles possible, depending on your interest and experience.

• PHOTOGRAPHERS: Help us create a permanent photographic history of North Tonawanda as it is today for future generations. Poloroid owner willing to take photos of passengers on Cinderella carriage rides during Historic Treasures Tour. Photograph Museum activities.

• CLERICAL HELPERS: Lots of reviewing, sorting, filing of reference materials; data entry for updating mailing lists (Excel skills helpful); labeling of collections items (requires interaction with other volunteers doing data entry with the museum software).

• EVENTS HELPERS: Booth watchers/public greeters/salespeople/setup & takedown helpers/errand runners for T-NT Expo, Canal Fest, WinterWalk, other regional events.

• MUSEUM REPRESENTATIVES: Individuals needed to attend meetings, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners occasionally to represent the Museum when staff has multiple commitments. Must be able to take notes and be able to tell about Museum activities and needs as needed, be a Museum ambassador.

• INTERNET USERS: Individuals to do research, update listings on internet websites about Museum activities.