The Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle are recruiting volunteer docents to conduct tours and programs for children and adults in the new Wood Museum of Springfield History and in the Springfield Science Museum.

Docents are volunteer museum educators. New docents will attend classes to learn about the museum exhibits and techniques for sharing that knowledge with visitors, especially school groups. Some experience working with children and adults is required.

Applications are being accepted immediately for weekly docent training classes that will begin in September. Separate series of training classes will be held for those who are interested in volunteering at the Science Museum and those who would like to assist in the History Museum.  

Science Museum classes will be held Wednesdays from 2-3:30 pm, and History Museum classes will be held on Mondays from 1:30-3 pm. Training ends in the winter, and new docents will begin to lead tours and programs in early spring.  Docents are asked to give a minimum of 20 programs per year for two years. Most school tours are held on mornings from Tuesday through Friday.

In return for their service, docents receive a free, high-quality training program in either science or local history led by curators, scholars, and museum educators; Museum Store discounts; discounts on Museum School courses; free admission to selected programs; invitations to docent social events and more. 

For more information or to request a docent application, please contact Wendy Somes, 413.263.6800, ext 323, or send an email to docents@springfieldmuseums.org. You may also download an application at www.springfieldmuseums.org.