What Can You Do as a Volunteer?
Whether you’re looking to gain hands-on experience, build your resume, earn volunteer hours, or simply get involved in your community, there’s a place for you at the Old Schwamb Mill!
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Welcoming visitors during special events
- Assisting with archives and historical collections
- Greeting guests and helping with visitor services
- Supporting educational programs and activities
- Helping with gardening and site upkeep
- Serving on our Board of Directors (for those interested in leadership and nonprofit governance)
No matter your interests or experience, we’d love to help you find the right fit.
Student Volunteer Opportunities at Old Schwamb Mill
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in history, public history, museums, archives, education, communications, or historic preservation? Looking for hands-on experience you can add to your résumé or portfolio? Old Schwamb Mill in Arlington, MA is looking for student volunteers interested in gaining practical experience at a small, historic, working museum. We are happy to work with students to develop opportunities that align with their academic interests and career goals.
Research, Archives & Collections
Our archives contain materials documenting the history of the Schwamb family, the frame-making business, the Mill, and its preservation as a museum. Students interested in historical research may have opportunities to:
- Sort, organize, and catalog archival materials
- Digitize photographs, documents, and other historical materials
- Conduct historical and genealogical research
- Transcribe handwritten documents and historic records
- Assist with collections database work
- Research people, objects, tools, photographs, and other aspects of the Mill’s history
- Develop research projects around areas of particular interest
Tours & Education
- Learn the history of the Old Schwamb Mill and its frame-making tradition
- Assist with guided tours and, with training, eventually lead tours
- Assist with school, family, and public education programs
- Help develop educational and interpretive materials
- Explore ways to make the Mill’s history accessible to different audiences
Social Media & Publicity
- Create social media content
- Develop graphics and promotional materials
- Assist with event publicity and community outreach
- Help develop campaigns to reach new audiences
- Assist with photography, video, and other digital content
The Old Schwamb Mill is a living-history museum and working picture-frame manufactory in Arlington, Ready to get involved? Call us at 781-643-0554 or email info@oldschwambmill.org to learn more about volunteering at the Old Schwamb Mill.
