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Volunteer with Issaquah History Museums

Do you like to tell stories? To explore history? To renovate and maintain historic structures? Issaquah History Museums welcomes you! Our organization relies on a community of people like you to operate its museums, maintain its exhibits, digitize its collections, and run its programs. Volunteer opportunities include diverse positions such as leading history hikes, docenting at the museums, and leading custom tours.

BENEFITS

  • Enjoy a 10% at IHM gift shops.

  • Participate in volunteer-only events.

  • Develop expertise in local history.

  • Get to know a fun and diverse group of people who love Issaquah!

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

  • Complete a Volunteer Application.

  • Talk with museum staff to determine which opportunities best suite your interests.

  • Attend occasional training sessions to develop your skills! 

Volunteer Opportunities​

  • Museum Docent

    • Docent Coordinator​

    • Depot Museum Docent

  • Trolley

    • Mechanic​

    • Track maintenance

    • Motorman (pilot)

    • Conductor (attendant)

    • Platform agent

    • Committee member

  • Research

    • Basic historical research

    • Genealogy​

  • Collections

    • Scanning documents​

    • Organizing

    • Labeling

    • Cataloging

    • Photography

    • Conservation & Preservation

  • Communications​

    • Creative design​

    • History blog writer

    • Historical research for social media

  • Events

    • Volunteer Event Coordinator​

    • Event planning & hosting

  • Facilities

    • Volunteer Facilities Coordinator​

    • Maintenance

  • History Hike Leader

    • Volunteer Hike Coordinator​

    • Mine history hike leader

    • Logging history hike leader

    • Hike leader support

  • Natural Heritage

  • Tour Guide

    • Volunteer Tour Guide Leader​

    • Downtown tours

    • School tours

Depot Museum Docent

Docents at the Issaquah Depot Museum act as hosts and representatives of the museums, and provide a personal connection to the museum experience. Docents welcome visitors, answer basic questions, sell gift shop items, and open and secure the building.

Volunteer Signup

Hike Assistant Volunteer

Hike assistants works with the hike leader to provide support during the hike of a group of participants on coal mining and logging hikes around Issaquah. Responsibilities include taking pictures, distributing evaluations, making sure that hike participants are staying with the group.

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Location: Hiking trails in Issaquah

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Responsibilities: Taking pictures, distributing evaluations, making sure that hike participants are staying with the group.

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Frequency: Depends on hike schedule. Usually one time a month.

Schedule: Some Saturdays in Fall, Spring, and Summer. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Training: On the job.

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Age of Volunteer: 14 and up. Doesn’t require guardian.

Volunteer Signup

Tour Guide

Issaquah History Museums’ tour program provides additional interpretation of exhibits at the Issaquah Train Depot. Tour Guides use hands-on objects and activities to engage their audience, creating an age-appropriate educational experience. As a Tour Guide, you’ll learn inquiry-based techniques to use with kids, along with deeper information about the exhibit contents in order to create a positive learning experience for visiting groups. 

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When: As needed, during school hours and on Saturdays. Most school tours are scheduled during the months of May and June.

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Location: At both the Gilman Town Hall Museum and the Issaquah Depot Museum.

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Training: Ten hours of training, which includes both direct instruction and shadowing tours.

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Required Age of Volunteer: 16 and up

Volunteer Signup

Collections Volunteer

Collections Volunteers work with the Collections Manager to research, catalog, and care for IHM’s ever growing holdings of artifacts and photographs.  Some Collections Volunteers work on specific long-term projects; other help with whatever is most needed during the time when they are in the building.

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Location: Gilman Town Hall

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Responsibilities: Scanning and/or cataloging photographs, cataloging artifacts.

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Frequency: At least one hour a week.

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Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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Training: On the job.

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Required Age of Volunteer: 16 and up. Doesn’t require a guardian.

Volunteer Signup

Facilities Volunteer

Facilities Volunteers help maintain the museum grounds and facilities in a safe and attractive manner.

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Responsibilities:  Tasks might include removing weeds, cutting overgrowth, picking up litter, assisting with painting projects, doing basic repairs, pressure-washing, etc.

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Frequency:  No specific schedule. As needed and depending on availability of volunteer.

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Schedule:  Anytime between Tuesday and Saturday in Spring, Summer, and Fall between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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Training: On the job.

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Age of Volunteer: 14 and up. Age 14-18, Guardian required unless being directly supervised by IHM staff.

Volunteer Signup
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