2023 Falmouth Museums on the Green Docent Training Schedule
The Falmouth Museums on the Green has an exciting opportunity for a docent training class that will enrich your knowledge of local history and antiques. This four- week training class will cover topics ranging from 18th century architecture & architecture to 20th century summer activities. Volunteer docents serve as guides for two historic houses that feature period rooms and galleries. After completing the class, docents would shadow their fellow docents before giving a one on one tour with a staff member before they are ready to give tours to the public. This is a great way to keep active in town and share your love of Falmouth with the public.
For questions or to sign up for the class please call Rachel Lovett, Executive Director, 508-548-4857×15 or email [email protected]
Introduction & Overview to the Falmouth Museums on the Green
First Training Class: Monday, April 3, 2023 Time: 10am to noon
Learn about the inner workings of a museum and special education techniques for interpreting history.
Falmouth in the Federal Era & Beyond: An In Depth Tour of the Wicks House
Second Training Class: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Time: 10am to noon
This class delves into the life here in Falmouth after the American Revolution and explores the 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House’s collection, architecture, and social history until 1934 when the house was donated to the Society. During this class, participants can select to pick a special object to learn more about. During the last class on April 25, participants have the option to share their research on that object with their classmates in a five-minute story.
Museum Collection, Gardens, & Architecture Highlights
Third Training Class: Monday, April 17, 2023 Time: 10am to noon
Go behind the scenes to learn about the special archives and objects at the Society. This class will also focus on the current and upcoming exhibitions, and include a tour of the gardens maintained by the Falmouth Garden Club.
Practical procedures: Gift Shop training, Daily Sheets, and Entering/Closing.
Fourth Training Class: Monday, April 24, 2023 Time: 10am to noon
There are three shadow days to watch fellow docents before giving tours.
You can miss one of the classes and do a private makeup. The expectation is to give at least two tours a month.
Falmouth Historical Society Spring 2023 Third Grade Colonial Life Program
For many years now, each spring, Historical Society Volunteers have visited each 3rd grade classroom with a hands-on program about textiles. The children experienced the magical transformation of flax into linen and raw wool into yarn. This year, we will be including this class with the museum tour, decreasing the days and numbers of volunteers needed. Each class will visit the Museum for a tour of Wicks House, attend the class taught formerly in the classroom, and learn about various aspects of Colonial life, such as herbs used, foods eaten, and chores including making candles and soap. This would necessitate making the tour into a full day but eliminating classroom visits. This year there are 14 third grade classes scheduled to visit over six days. Docents who volunteered in the classroom are encouraged to continue in this new venue.
We encourage you and your friends to participate and want to let you know what the schedule will be this year. If you haven’t previously participated, there are training opportunities, materials to help you, and when possible, you will be paired with an experienced docent. This is a very rewarding program and the content for 3rd graders is very manageable and part of their curriculum. School docents are required to wear Colonial period costumes. We want to help transport the students back in time. If you do not have your own costume, the Society has a number of appropriate costumes available in various sizes and will provide one for you.
Training Dates- (Participants must attend at least one because the program has changed. We will review changes and do a walk-through of a tour, train for the classroom segment, get materials, select a costume, and finalize schedule.)
Tues., May 23rd, 12:30-3:30
Thurs, May 25th, 9:30-12:30
Tour Dates
These are the available dates. Only six of them will be used. We will include a rain date, but it is rarely used.
May 30, May 31, June 1, June 2, June 5, June 6, June 7, June 8, June 9
Two or three classes will come at a time. They will be divided into two groups. Docents are expected to come by 9:15. Students arrive around 9:30 and the girls are given hats and the boys are given work aprons. Both are given a colonial name tag. After an introduction and a visit to the herb garden, one group starts with a tour of Wicks House including the kitchen and doctor’s office, an interactive touch table, a demonstration of making soap and candles, and an outdoor visit to the four seater outhouse! The other group enters the Cultural center for the textile class. We break for lunch and we hope to provide food for you. The children will have a picnic lunch with their teachers on the grounds or the green. The day ends around 2:15 when the busses pick them up. Docents are encouraged to stay and help put away materials. (15 minutes) Each class of 15-20 children is divided into three groups, with one or two docents for each group. Anyone willing to volunteer is invited to join. Please ask your friends to join you. The more, the merrier. If you were a teacher, this is a great way to experience the fun part without all the work that goes with it! We would love a commitment of at least five days.
Come join the fun! Your participation will be very much appreciated!
Other Volunteer Opportunities
While the members of our small staff are talented and dedicated, we simply couldn’t do what we do without our highly motivated volunteer militia. They’re our invaluable front-line, boots-on-the-ground team: docents, tour guides, shop keepers, researchers, educators, greeters. They’re also our ticket-takers, sign-makers, errand-runners, teddy-bear stuffers, hot dog sellers and ice-cream scoopers. Most of all, they’re a nice group of people who love history, love giving back to their community and love spending time together.
Today, nearly one in four Americans volunteers in some capacity. Collectively, they contribute over 8 billion hours to local and national causes every single year. We’d love to spend a few hours having a blast in the past with you. You don’t have to do it all. Do what you’ll enjoy!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SHOP KEEPERS
GREETERS
WALKING TOUR GUIDES
COLLECTION ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH/ARCHIVES ASSISTANCE
CALL US: 508.548.4857, extension 10
DOWNLOAD & MAIL IN OUR VOLUNTEER FORM
Museums on the Green
P.O. Box 174 | Falmouth, MA 02541
INTERNSHIPS
We welcome college students who are looking for projects and credits to complete their degrees. We also welcome high school students who are looking to satisfy service hours.
