Introduction to Becoming a Docent

Docent or Guide?

Docents show visitors what it was like in an 18th century home and help visitors from all walks of life relate to history. Guides escorts visitors through the rooms of the museum encouraging them to look around but not touch the exhibits for themselves. Many docents begin as guides.

Can anyone be a Docent?

Yes! We provide training in the spring as well as a kit containing all the information you'll need to give a tour. Every tour is different. We encourage our docents and guides to give the tour they would be most interested in taking. So some talk about the architecture, some about the needlework, some about the people who once walked about these floors.

What does a Docent Need to Know

Does a Docent need to know everything about everything in the house and about the times? Not at all. All volunteers are encouraged to be familiar with the basic background of the building and the people who once called it home. At Docent Training each person is given a back-ground kit to read at their own convenience.

Individual tours are geared to the visitor by the docent giving the tour. By not having a standard tour or script return visitors can always depend on learning something new and different.

But, what if I'm not comfortable speaking to a group? Relax. Most of our tours are individuals, couples and families.

Time Commitment & Docent Tasks

Does it take a lot of time commitment to be a docent? We ask for two Saturday afternoons from Noon to 4 during the season. Our 2007 season has been extended to 15 weekends. The hours will be Noon - 4 PM for tours. The Saturday Afternoon in New England Program is from 1 PM - 3 PM.

What if no one comes for a tour? In the event of a quiet day, there will be various projects available to be worked on for the collections of the museum.

What if someone else has signed up for the weekend I wanted to work? The more the merrier! Docents learn from one another and there is plenty of work for everyone.

Ready to Become a Docent?

If you want to become a docent, or have more questions, please contact Docent coordinator David Cannon at 860.887.2417 or Beryl Fishbone at 860.887.9000.