Volunteers play an essential role in the operations of the St. Charles County Historical Society (SCCHS) and its Archives. The strength of SCCHS lies with its dedicated corps of volunteers who do everything from assisting visitors with their research needs to indexing and cataloging records.
Volunteering at SCCHS is a great way to learn more about history while helping to preserve the past. Meeting new people, learning and sharing information, and making a real contribution to the Society are just a few of the benefits volunteers can receive for their time and effort.
We have an open invitation for a diverse group of volunteers who can apply their skills, interests and experiences to a wide range of both short-term and long-term projects.
To inquire about volunteering, send an e-mail to: archives@scchs.org. Please indicate your area of interest and attach your resume if available. Placement of volunteers is determined based on the volunteer’s interest, skills, and life experiences as well as the needs of the institution.
SCCHS does not accept court-mandated volunteers.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with SCCHS. By becoming a volunteer at SCCHS, you can…
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Learn about St. Charles County History and share your love of history
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Know you are actively helping to save county history
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Learn new skills and meet new people
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Receive training in research and preservation skills
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Participate in special workshops and programs
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Receive a 10% discount on SCCHS publications in the ARCHIVES Shop
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Attend SCCHS programs for free or reduced admission
Below are examples of volunteer opportunities that are available at SCCHS. Self-defined job descriptions are possible, because we have so many diverse experience levels within our volunteer community.
Collections Assistant Volunteer
The Archives Department periodically has openings for volunteers to help improve access to its manuscript and image collections. Tasks may include creating inventories or collection guides, rehousing or organizing collection materials, data entry, etc. If you like attention to detail and don’t mind getting a little dusty, contact: archives@scchs.org
Education Outreach Volunteer
Assist the Archives staff with conducting programs for groups, developing and maintaining interpretive displays, and educating visitors on a predetermined project.
Genealogical & Biographical Database Volunteer
The Archives is always looking for someone interested in history to help input information into its genealogical & biographical databases. This would involve transcribing hand-written ledgers or documents into a structured database. If you like detail and are good at deciphering 18th- and 19th-century script, please contact: archives@scchs.org
Oral History Volunteer
Assist with preserving the stories of residents’ experiences living, working, and playing in St. Charles County. Volunteers would conduct research in primary and secondary sources, coordinate images, write stories, and post them to the website. Opportunities exist for conducting oral history and posting to social media. If you enjoy local history, have done historical research, and are able to work independently, contact: archives@scchs.org
Research Assistant Volunteer
Assist visitors to the Archives with any research and information needs. Make copies and/or transfer records electronically. Assist with sales transactions.
Special Events Volunteer
Assist the Archives staff in various job tasks required to make special events enjoyable for Society visitors. These individuals will work under the supervision of the individual in charge of the event.
History Internships
The SCCHS Archives offers internships for students at the college/graduate levels. Through research, hands-on work, and interactions with Archives staff and volunteers, students gain valuable experience and knowledge of both history and applied historian skills. For more information, contact archives@scchs.org.
