Volunteer Docent at Lippitt House Museum

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Guide guests from Rhode Island and around the globe through the Golden Age of Providence! Bring to life the stories of the people who lived and worked at Lippitt House in the 19th Century and share your passion for art, architecture, and history.

What docents do: Welcome visitors and guide them through Lippitt House Museum by conducting tours for groups of 2 to 10 people. Docents connect the museum’s collection and stories to visitors’ interests. Occasionally, docents assist with programs and events.

Qualifications: Docents are life-long learners with excellent oral communication skills, an ability to connect with audiences of all kinds, and an interest in the preservation of Lippitt House, collections and grounds. Docents convey the significance of the museum for all by highlighting the museum’s contribution to the cultural vibrancy of Providence and Rhode Island.

Learning and training: Learning is ongoing as a docent. Museum staff provide training through group sessions, one-on-one coaching, and self-study materials. Docents learn background information about the house and its collection of objects, the Lippitt family, the servants who lived here, and the Golden Age of Providence. Techniques for giving tours are part of the training.

Time commitment: Tour season is May through October. The museum asks docents to volunteer twice a month on Fridays and third Saturday afternoons. Total volunteering time averages 10 hours per month.

To apply: Please send an email to Cathy Saunders, Curator of Education, explaining why you are interested in being a docent and include any relevant experience you may have. Feel free to send a resume as well.