Volunteering at the Society

Get Published!
Are you fond of researching and writing about historical topics? We have many untold stories among our research materials, collections, and archives just waiting to be found. Volunteers are needed to breathe life into these hidden treasures. Short and feature length writers are needed for our quarterly publication, The Newsletter, as well as for our new online space, The Blanchard House Blog.

Keeping in Touch
The Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help with upcoming mailings to announce future programs, events and Society news. Production steps range from graphic design, layout and writing copy to data entry, labeling, stuffing and sealing envelopes. Volunteers can work on projects regularly at the Historical Society or in their own homes, or can be contacted on an as-needed basis to assist on short notice.

Clean & Organize Fine Art Collection
CAREFULLY remove items from each bin in the fine art collection, held in the archives. Catalog & document each item, taking digital photographs as needed for collections records. Clean wooden frames on portraits and framed photographs and documents. Clean glass without damaging materials behind glass. Note any damage or decay that requires professional remediation. Re-label and index art bins. Ongoing project.

Evaluate & Organize 19th Century Costumes
Help to process and evaluate our collection of 19th century women's dresses. Volunteers will carefully remove each dress from storage, photograph the dress, write descriptions, document its general condition and report any damage, discoloration or other evidence of degeneration. Make minor repairs to keep dresses from further damage. Re-hang and/or box artifacts according to best curatorial practices. Help to evaluate if any artifacts should be singled out for professional remediation. Ongoing project.

Building & Grounds Volunteers
Do you enjoy gardening, spring yard work or basic home improvement jobs? The Historical Society is seeking volunteers to help Buildings & Grounds Committee members on special projects around the Blanchard House and Barn Museum. Recent projects have included painting the kitchen and exterior bulkhead, fixing leaky faucets, washing the fence and basic yard work. Commitment: Occasional Saturdays or weekdays to work on special projects.

Explore Library & Archive Holdings
Learn more about the materials in our library and archives by helping to transcribe Library Call Cards and Archival Finding Aids. Typed library call cards and archival finding aids need to be transcribed to Works or Excel spreadsheet in a standardized format. Oversight and/or initial instruction will be provided if desired. Work can be done at home or at the Society.

Filing & Sorting New Reference Data
Help to sort, organize, prepare and categorize documents, articles, maps, pamphlets, news clippings, letters, genealogical data and other materials that need to be integrated into the library reference materials, archives and collection.