Welcome to the Volunteer Program
Volunteers play a crucial role in the daily operations of the Columbia River Maritime Museum,
whether it's providing one hour a month or twenty.
Every volunteer can be a part of the Museum by assisting in a variety of roles, whether working with the public or behind the scenes:
Curatorial Archives Volunteer:
Curatorial volunteers conduct ongoing projects such as data entry, object numbering, object rehousing, document filing, collections inventory, etc. The curatorial department will assign appropriate projects based on personal interests and skill sets, and then train to carry out each project according to Museum standards. Volunteers must be comfortable working independently with a high level of detail and accuracy.
Museum Docent:
Volunteers serve as docents throughout the Museum leading guided tours through the galleries or delivering abbreviated history to guests.
Docents must be comfortable with public speaking and frequent questions, delivering engaging talks to groups of all ages and backgrounds. Personal research is required as all docents will be expected to have working knowledge of the Museum exhibits and maritime history in Astoria. Docents must also complete a 4 week CRMM Docent Training with the Education Department.
Boat Pond Volunteer:
Volunteers are responsible for greeting visitors and lending self-sailing and remote-control boats for use on the pond. Volunteers should be comfortable communicating with guests and providing a history of the Astoria Train Depot when asked. Volunteers may be asked to help with the remote-control sailboat fleet maintenance.
Museum Store Volunteer:
Volunteers assist in the operation of the Museum Store. Volunteers will assist with suggestions to sell merchandise to guests, keep merchandise stocked in/on the display shelves in the Museum store, maintain the cleanliness and overall organization of the store, and operate the cash register. Volunteers serve as greeters for special events such as cruise ships and receptions and also provide assistance to Visitor Services as requested.
Lightship Columbia Docent:
The lightship docents serve on board to greet visitors and interpret the history of the lightship. Docents ensure that visitors have museum boarding passes, exercise proper safety measures, and treat the lightship as an artifact. Docents must be friendly, engaging, and comfortable working independently with frequent questions. Docents must be capable of handling emergencies in a responsible manner.
Museum Office Volunteer:
The office volunteers may assist with answering phones, organizing files, conducting research and collaborating on larger museum events. Volunteers must have working knowledge of the general Museum operations and department roles. Volunteers should be detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in a quiet office setting with confidential information.
Currently approximately 60 volunteers are involved in ensuring the Museum runs smoothly and each visitor has a positive experience.
In 2019, 60 volunteers donated 4,534 hours of work to the Museum
In 2020, 59 active volunteers donated 2,097 hours
In 2021, 61 volunteers donated 2,478 hours
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 503-325-2323 or [email protected].
whether it's providing one hour a month or twenty.
Every volunteer can be a part of the Museum by assisting in a variety of roles, whether working with the public or behind the scenes:
Curatorial Archives Volunteer:
Curatorial volunteers conduct ongoing projects such as data entry, object numbering, object rehousing, document filing, collections inventory, etc. The curatorial department will assign appropriate projects based on personal interests and skill sets, and then train to carry out each project according to Museum standards. Volunteers must be comfortable working independently with a high level of detail and accuracy.
Museum Docent:
Volunteers serve as docents throughout the Museum leading guided tours through the galleries or delivering abbreviated history to guests.
Docents must be comfortable with public speaking and frequent questions, delivering engaging talks to groups of all ages and backgrounds. Personal research is required as all docents will be expected to have working knowledge of the Museum exhibits and maritime history in Astoria. Docents must also complete a 4 week CRMM Docent Training with the Education Department.
Boat Pond Volunteer:
Volunteers are responsible for greeting visitors and lending self-sailing and remote-control boats for use on the pond. Volunteers should be comfortable communicating with guests and providing a history of the Astoria Train Depot when asked. Volunteers may be asked to help with the remote-control sailboat fleet maintenance.
Museum Store Volunteer:
Volunteers assist in the operation of the Museum Store. Volunteers will assist with suggestions to sell merchandise to guests, keep merchandise stocked in/on the display shelves in the Museum store, maintain the cleanliness and overall organization of the store, and operate the cash register. Volunteers serve as greeters for special events such as cruise ships and receptions and also provide assistance to Visitor Services as requested.
Lightship Columbia Docent:
The lightship docents serve on board to greet visitors and interpret the history of the lightship. Docents ensure that visitors have museum boarding passes, exercise proper safety measures, and treat the lightship as an artifact. Docents must be friendly, engaging, and comfortable working independently with frequent questions. Docents must be capable of handling emergencies in a responsible manner.
Museum Office Volunteer:
The office volunteers may assist with answering phones, organizing files, conducting research and collaborating on larger museum events. Volunteers must have working knowledge of the general Museum operations and department roles. Volunteers should be detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in a quiet office setting with confidential information.
Currently approximately 60 volunteers are involved in ensuring the Museum runs smoothly and each visitor has a positive experience.
In 2019, 60 volunteers donated 4,534 hours of work to the Museum
In 2020, 59 active volunteers donated 2,097 hours
In 2021, 61 volunteers donated 2,478 hours
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 503-325-2323 or [email protected].
