Volunteer

Docents lead theme tours at the Kansas Museum of History

The Kansas Historical Society's large volunteer force is critical to our operations. Numerous diverse volunteer opportunities are available. Your service can make a world of difference to the future of Kansas.

The Society is headquartered at the Kansas History Center in Topeka. Many of the volunteer opportunities are avilable at this location. Volunteers also provide support at our State Historic Sites, at the Kansas State Capitol Tour Center, and through KSHS, Inc., the private 501(c)(3) organization.

Archeology

The state archeology office has prehistoric and historic collections numbering in the tens of thousands. Stone and bone tools and glass and ceramic artifacts are cleaned, numbered and classified by volunteers. (Work times available 9:00 a. m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesdays)

Archives
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  • More than one-half million historic photographs, four-and-a-half miles of library materials, and more than two hundred years of census records are just some of the interesting "finds" in the research library. Archival assistants provide valuable service numbering, flattening, and organizing paper items. Opportunities are available to work with the public at the research desk and in the microfilm room. If you have your own computer, you can even work from home. (Work times available 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday, three-hour shifts)

    The Discovery Place
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  • What a great opportunity to enrich children's lives! Young people love to explore the nooks and crannies of the hands-on exhibits in the Discovery Place. You are there to facilitate their fun. (Work times availalbe 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Sunday)

    Docent
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  • Do you enjoy history? Do you like to share stories with your friends and family? Serving as a tour guide at the Kansas Museum of History is a wonderful chance to do both. You do not need to have prior knowledge of Kansas history. We provide all the training. You provide the enthusiasm. (Work times available seven days a week, two tours a month)

    Information Desk
  • Complete description - Museum Volunteer
  • Complete description - Mission Volunteer
  • More than 150,000 people visit the Kansas Museum of History annually. Some have been here before; for others it is the first time. We need your help to make them feel at home. The historic Potawatomi Mission is also staffed by information volunteers who share the story of the building with visitors. (Work times available seven days a week, three-hour shifts)

    Museum Collections

    With more than 100,000 artifacts, the museum's collection is the best source of Kansas material culture in the state. Work with the curators to document these fascinating pieces of history. (Work times available Thursday, three-hour shifts)

    Kansas Historical Quarterly Transcription
  • Learn more about the project
  • Volunteers are converting the thousands of pages of the Kansas Historical Quarterly, published 1931 - 1977, into digital form for publication on the Internet.

    Museum Store

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  • The store serves a wide audience from young children seeking a small momento of their visit to scholars buying the latest book on Plains history. The merchandise is all first class. (Work time available severn day a week, three-hour shifts)

    Capitol Volunteer

    Share the story of Kansas art, architecture, and government under the dome. Capitol volunteers provide tours to visitors of all ages and staff the Capitol Tour Center information desk. (Work times available Monday through Friday)

    Student Volunteer

    Students age 13 and older are encouraged to call about changing volunteer opportunities at the Society. During the summer months, the Education and Outreach Division uses teenagers to assist with the Museum Mornings classes and Heritage Camp.

    Training and Support

    The Kansas Historical Society provides training for every volunteer service area. We also offer monthly continuing education programs, social programs, and opportunities to work directly with the professional staff. Work schedules vary according to the service area. We will work to accommodate your schedule.

    • If you enjoy history, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at at 785-272-8681, ext. 415, education@kshs.org, to set up an appointment today.



    Kansas State Historical Society
     
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    Kansas State Historical Society
    Kansas State Historical Society