Volunteer Tour Guide
ORGANIZATION: Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
This opportunity is provided by VolunteerMatch's partner.
Please visit the new page to apply.
Please visit the new page to apply.
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is looking for volunteers! We seek individuals to help us share the history of the Boston Water System and raise awareness about the importance of clean, safe drinking water for all.
Our tour guides lead group tours around the museum at scheduled times. We can help you to develop your tour based on our content and your interests, or you can use our General Tour script. We generally seek those with interests in areas like engineering, history, public health, architecture, environmental science, safe water access, education, and related fields.
We are particularly in need of Volunteers on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, though some Saturday and Sunday shifts may be available.
All volunteers must:
- Be at least 15 years of age (those under 18 need parental consent)
- Possess English Language Skills
- Have a means of transportation to get to and from shifts at the museum
- Have the ability to engage with visitors of all ages whether 1:1 or in a group setting
- Be Reliable and On-Time for Shifts
- Have good "people skills"
- Be willing to learn multiple facets of our story and share our many themes with visitors.
What we offer:
* Opportunity to work in a museum setting
*Venue to practice public speaking
* Training program and content resources
* Community of passionate, knowledgeable people who want to share their interests with each other
* Rare chance to see and learn about 19th and 20th century steam engines and related artifacts
* Flexible scheduling
*10% off at the Museum Store
*Free Admission to certain Museum Events
Interested in applying to be a volunteer? Questions? Reach out to us at erin.glant@waterworksmuseum.org
Located a very short walk from Boston College as well as the Cleveland Circle and Reservoir T stops, the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum at 2450 Beacon Street in Boston is a non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the high service pumping station that supplied the Boston area with safe water in the 19th and 20th centuries. Regular open hours are Wednesday through Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. Check out our website at WaterworksMuseum.org. You can also find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @MetroWaterworks.
3 Shifts
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morning /
11:00 AM to 12:15 PM EST
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FULL
Tour Shift runs from 11:15am - 12:15pm; we ask Volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before the tour shift
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afternoon /
12:15 PM to 01:30 PM EST
-
FULL
Tour Shift runs from 12:30pm - 1:30pm; we ask Volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before the tour shift
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afternoon /
01:45 PM to 03:00 PM EST
-
FULL
Tour Shift runs from 2:00pm - 3:00pm; we ask Volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before the tour shift
More Shifts
1 More opportunity with Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
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About Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
Location:
2450 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, US
Mission Statement
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum uses its architecturally magnificent building, mammoth steam pumping engines, and the adjacent historic Chestnut Hill Reservoir to interpret unique stories of one of the country’s earliest metropolitan water systems. Through educational programs and exhibits focused on engineering, architecture, social history, public health, and safe water access, the Museum connects historic narratives to current issues and future challenges.
Description
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum at 2450 Beacon Street in Boston, opposite the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, is a non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the historic waterworks that supplied the City of Boston with public water.
The Museum presents unique stories of this early metropolitan water system through exhibitions and educational programs on the themes of engineering, architecture, social history, public health, and safe water access. The Waterworks Museum is located inside the former High-Service pumping station, a Richardsonian Romanesque building dating to the late 1880’s. The Museum consists of the Great Engines Hall, housing three historic steam-powered pumping engines, and a two story glass-enclosed pavilion, featuring an Overlook Gallery with rotating exhibits and interactive elements. Education programs, guest lectures, guided or self-led tours, and other special community and family programs are part of the regular calendar of events. Private social or corporate events are also possible through special arrangement.
Directions and hours can be found at WaterworksMuseum.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @MetroWaterworks. Accessible by T on the Green Line "C" and "D" trains, and by Bus (#51 and #86). Limited parking available onsite. ADA accessible and stroller friendly.
CAUSE AREAS
Arts & Culture,
Education & Literacy,
Environment
WHEN
We'll work with your schedule.
This opportunity has 3 shifts
WHERE
2450 Beacon StreetChestnut Hill, MA 02467
(42.33173 ,-71.15557 )
DATE POSTED
May 25, 2025
SKILLS
- STEM
- Public Speaking
- History
- Environmental Education
- People Skills
- Civil Engineering
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 15
- Tour shift is usually 1 hour 15 minutes. We would like to see our volunteers at least once per month but we welcome volunteers to sign up for shifts as often as they like.
- Training program must be completed before signing up for first tour shift.