Museum Docent and Tour Group Assistant
ORGANIZATION: Jerry and Laura Jacobson Found
Please visit the new page to apply.
Position Description: Seasonal Volunteer Docent (March-October 2021)
At the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum volunteer docents and tour assistants provide visitors with a fun and informative experience while putting safety first. New volunteers may begin by accompanying tours as assistants to gain experience with the collection and facilities before guiding tours themselves. Volunteers work closely with staff, interns, contractors, and other volunteers to create an enjoyable experience for visitors.
Primary Duties Include:
- Welcome visitors and tour groups as they arrive at the visitor center and museum
- Assist tour guides by accompanying tour groups to keep them together and ensure their safety throughout guided walking tours of the roundhouse and facilities.
- Practice situational awareness. Inform visitors of safety standards and keep visitors aware of their surroundings and alert to potential hazards.
- Participate in training to become familiar with the AoS collections, facilities, exhibits, and best practices.
- Learn about our collection, railroad history, and science related to steam railroading.
- Learn the basics of heritage interpretation and deliver tours of the roundhouse, collections, and facilities.
- Develop your own 90-minute guided walking tours of the AoS Roundhouse and facilities.
- Respond to visitors’ questions by providing accurate answers and feedback.
- Assist with opening/closing the roundhouse and facilities
Desired Qualities:
- Willingness to engage with the public
- Prior presentation experience is a plus
- Curiosity and love of learning
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Flexible volunteer schedule including weekday afternoons and/or Saturdays between the months of March and October.
- Willingness to participate in trainings, workshops, and volunteer meetings.
- First Aid and CPR Certification preferred but not required
- Reliable transportation
More opportunities with Jerry and Laura Jacobson Found
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Jerry and Laura Jacobson Found
Location:
Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, 213 SMOKEY LANE RD SW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681, US
Mission Statement
The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum preserves, maintains, displays, interprets and operates steam locomotives, rolling stock, and objects from the collection of its founders Jerry Joe Jacobson and his wife Laura. in addition to other collections. Additionally, it preserves and practices the skills needed to restore and care for that collection for the education, enlightenment and entertainment of the public and posterity.
Description
Jerry Jacobson loved to watch the Baltimore & Ohio steam locomotives operating through his hometown of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Knowing that he would have to own his own railroad in order to run his own steam locomotive, in 1988 Jerry bought a 90-mile railroad, and named it Ohio Central. Twenty years later his Ohio Central Railroad System had grown to ten individual freight-hauling railroads, 84 diesels, ten steam locomotives, and two dozen heavyweight and lightweight passenger cars. Needing a site to safely store and restore his fleet of railroad old-timers, Jerry and his wife Laura acquired 36 acres of farmland and began construction of the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum site. Located just 2-1/2 miles south of the village of Sugarcreek, the Museum is surrounded by picturesque Amish farms with their horse-drawn buggies, plows and reapers. Today a visit to the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum is an immersive trip back into the heyday era of steam locomotives and travel. Site Interpreters provide guided tours of the Roundhouse’s 18-stall, accurately reconstructed brick roundhouse surrounding a 115-foot turntable and turntable pit. The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum houses the largest private collection of steam locomotives in the world, including 21 historic steam locomotives in various states of restoration and preservation. It operates a fully functioning, working back shop where skilled Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum staff actively continue to preserve, restore and repair steam locomotives.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
213 Smokey Lane Rd SWSugarcreek, OH 44681
DATE POSTED
January 15, 2021
SKILLS
- Math / Science Instruction
- History
- People Skills
- Public Speaking
- Storytelling
- STEM
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 18
- Orientation or Training