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The Maitland Historical Society invites you to be a part of the Helping Hands for History Program. There are three ways in which individuals and groups can get involved.
Our regular volunteers are such an asset to the Society. Agreeing to commit to the Society on a monthly basis allows you to get to know the Society from the inside out. Whether you are helping with the collection or education programs, the more you volunteer, the better you’ll get to know your job and the other staff members will get to know you.
These projects are for people that want to help, but only have a short amount of time to give. All projects take one day or less to complete. These projects include a wide variety of tasks from helping with a one time event, like our benefit auction, to painting the Maitland Historical Museum, to helping out with an occasional education program.
Helping Hands Workshops are provided for interested Society members, volunteers, and community members free of charge. The topics of our workshops range from oral histories to genealogy to collection care and are held annually. Workshop classes meet weekly for a period of 4-8 weeks. Throughout the workshop sessions participants will be given research topics, oral history assignments, or genealogical assignments that will relate to the MHS mission to practice students’ new skills. Check with the Education Manager to find out when registration for the next workshop begins.
For more information on one or more of these projects, click over to our events calendar to see when the next Helping Hands for History workshop is taking place so you can learn more about MHS and our how to put your hands to work for history!
At the Maitland Historical Society we strive to make volunteering a pleasurable and insightful experience for all. We want to work with each new volunteer to craft an experience that the volunteer will treasure in years to come. Below are some of the opportunities offered:
Gift Shop Assistant
Assistants for the gift shop displays will help to organize, arrange, and display the items in an aesthetically pleasing way. Gift shop assistants will also inventory and update items as necessary. On occasion gift shop volunteers are needed for special events at Lake Lily.
Curatorial Assistant
Volunteers are needed to help the curator with inventory, assessment of artifacts, and research for upcoming exhibitions. Volunteers working with the curator can learn about collections care, how to create and maintain an archive, how exhibits are created, and why museum artifacts are so important. Curatorial volunteers also can assist with the oral history program, and many volunteers are needed to help maintain the cleanliness and condition of the Waterhouse Residence Museum.
Educational Programs Assistant
Educational programs are a large part of what the Society does for the community. On and off site help is needed. This volunteer needs to have excellent interpersonal skills and enthusiasm about working with school groups of all ages. This is a great way to learn about education in Florida and an opportunity to educate the future leaders of our community.
Special Events
Special events require a lot of organization and preparation. Volunteers are needed to help with planning, setting up, helping during the event and cleaning up afterwards. Volunteers assisting here help us assure a quality event. See the MHS Calendar for upcoming events.
Office Assistant
Office support is needed to help organize our office. Computer work, filing, mailings and folding brochures are some of the opportunities for an office assistant. Close work with the staff members gives these volunteers a “behind the scenes” look at how the Society operates.
Office assistants can sign up for an “on call” position, where they will be called in to help with mailings and short term projects. Additionally, weekly assignments are available in which the volunteer will answer the phone, greet visitors, run errands, and assist in general office tasks.
As a small historical institution we have many “dirty jobs” that need to be completed throughout the year. Volunteers for this crew would serve on an “on call” basis and would be asked to help with tasks such as cleaning up after special events, washing dishes after tea parties, maintaining the Waterhouse learning garden, and maintaining our kitchen.
Internships can be crafted by the Maitland Historical Society specifically to meet your needs. We are willing to work with schools and advisors to make certain you will get school credit, when possible, for your internship. A specific job description will be provided for you, then signed and agreed upon by all involved parties. The duration of an internship varies depending on the student’s needs.
These opportunities vary throughout the year and the most up to date opportunities can be found by
clicking here to visit our events calendar or calling the Education Manager at 407-644-2451. The following are annual events for which helping hands are always needed:
- United Arts Fest, February
- Children’s Art Festival, April
- Girl Scout Hats, Teas, and History, Spring
- Party in the Park, July
- Annual Benefit Auction, Fall
- Season of Light, December
Workshops are scheduled on an annual basis. Please click here to visit our events calendar or call the Education Manager at 407-644-2451 to find out the date of the next scheduled workshop.
The Maitland Historical Society is open to volunteers of all ages and experiences. However, we do ask that all of our volunteers meet the following requirements.
- Volunteers should have an interest in Maitland, history, or a desire to help the community.
- Volunteers must be friendly, enthusiastic, flexible, responsible, and willing to work as part of a team.
- Volunteers are required to complete tasks in an expedient, professional manner. Tasks should also be completed in the manner requested by the volunteer’s supervisor.
- Volunteers should be 14 years of age or working together with a family member/guardian.
- Volunteers must fill out an application with their contact information and may be subject to a background check.
- Volunteers should have good communication & interpersonal skills.
- Volunteers should be willing and able to work with diverse groups of people.
Reliability is key for MHS volunteers. If you sign up for a shift, please expect to attend unless an emergency arises.
The Maitland Historical Society is not an authorized location for court mandated community service hours and cannot accept applicants for these types of positions.
Being a Maitland Historical Society volunteer gives you the opportunity to meet new people, learn museum procedures, try your hand at new skills or update old ones, all while making a difference. However, the most significant benefit is the experience of giving back to the community through your contribution to the historic preservation of Maitland.
In addition to all the great benefits listed above, the following benefits are what you can expect to gain from volunteering for the MHS:
- Snacks and Beverages provided during all shifts.
- Free Admission to the Museums during Volunteer Shifts
- Opportunities for Social and Educational Enrichment
- Invitations to special events hosted by the Society featuring guest speakers, book signings and more. This includes volunteer appreciation events and outings.
- Fulfillment of community service hours for scholarships and college applications. (Please note that the Maitland Historical Society is not authorized to sign off on court mandated community service hours.)
- References for college applications and future employers.
Would you like to receive volunteer opportunities by email?
Send a message to jnash@maitlandhistory.org to sign up.
Click here to access our volunteer application!
Check these sites for current volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Solutions
Click here to see our current job opening for docent/tour guide |
