Museum Docent

Do you have a passion for American history and would you like to share that passion with others? The Beaufort History Museum (BHM) has openings for its staff of volunteer museum docents.

Our museum docents create a memorable experience for visitors of all ages from all over the country and world by leading guided tours of the Beaufort History Museum.  The Museum is in the Beaufort Arsenal, built in 1852 and located in the heart of Beaufort’s historic district.

Docents complete a formal training program that provides an overview of Beaufort’s 500 years plus of history. Our program of continuing education provides more in-depth and hands-on experiences with our region’s many historical events and sites and their importance in world and national history.  Beyond the formal training program, Docents are expected to maintain an active program of self-education in our region’s history.

Duties

•         Welcome and orient visitors to the Beaufort History Museum and Arsenal.
•          Provide guided tours of the Museum’s gallery and any temporary exhibits.
•         Assist Visitor Center staff with miscellaneous Museum visitor services.

Minimum Recommended Qualifications

•         18+ years old.
•          Enjoy working with people.
•          Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
•          Interest in American history and/or historic sites.
•          Joining the Museum and maintaining an active membership subscription.
•          English fluency is required.  Candidates with additional language skills welcomed.

Docents serve a minimum recommended three shifts monthly.  Shift schedules are currently available Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. (1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday). 

Museum Greeter 

The BHM Volunteer Greeter’s role is to make initial contact with patrons, aid the Docents by directing visitors to exhibits or existing tours, answer general, non-history related questions about the museum, collect visitor information and take tickets.

The requirements for becoming a Volunteer Greeter include joining the Museum and maintaining an active membership subscription, attending a two-hour training session, being available for duty at the Museum approximately six hours per month and volunteering for duties at occasional special events.

As part of the training, greeters will “shadow” a seasoned Docent/Greeter for a minimum of 3 hours prior to working a scheduled shift.  They will not be able to educate the Museum’s patrons or tell the stories of our local history unless they also attended the more extensive Docent Training courses.   

Those who participate in the Volunteer Greeter program will be key members of our team. They will also be part of the larger Museum family and will be invited to special events, exclusive exhibit openings and social gatherings.