Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer with the San Diego Historical Society and help bring history alive!

Our volunteers are involved in all aspects of the Society, from conducting educational programs at the Serra Museum to processing collections in the Research Center. If you have a love of history and have a desire to give back to your community, then there is a volunteer position for you!

Education Volunteers

Marston House Docents
Marston House Docents take visitors on hourly guided tours of this 1905 historic home. Tours focus on architectural and decorative elements of the home, as well as the history of the Marston family. Training is provided. Prior knowledge is useful, but not required. Tours take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Volunteers are asked to complete a 3 hour shift weekly or bi-weekly, between the hours of 10 am-1 pm or 1 pm-4 pm.

Museum of San Diego History Docents
Museum of San Diego History Docents lead guided tours of the gallery spaces detailing the history of a variety of objects on view. Share the history of the region with guests from around the world. Gallery Docents also monitor the galleries for visitor safety, answer questions, keep the gallery tidy, and perform other as-needed tasks. Training is provided. Docents are asked to complete the training and to work at least one 3 hour shift per week.

San Diego Before Statehood Docents
Lead a group of 15 fourth-grade students on a 2-hour interactive tour of the historic Presidio and focus on early San Diego history through the San Diego Before Statehood Program. Volunteers are offered extensive training before starting the program. The San Diego Before Statehood Program runs from October-June from 9:30 am-11:30 am. Volunteers are asked to work at least two 2-hour shifts per month.

Special Events Volunteers
Special Events Volunteers help the education and outreach departments with events held at the San Diego Historical Society sites and at other venues around San Diego. Duties at these events include anything from helping kids with crafts to simply answering questions at a Society booth. Training will be provided as necessary. Events are periodic; therefore there is no minimum time commitment for volunteers.

Exhibits Volunteers

Preparatory Volunteers
Preparatory Volunteers help the exhibits team with construction, assembly, and decorative aspects of our exhibits at the Museum of San Diego History. Duties may include painting, woodworking, and any other tasks needed by the Preparatory team. Volunteers must be able to perform physical tasks such as lifting up to 50 lbs. and climbing ladders. Exhibits construction takes place Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm. Volunteers will only be needed on a project-based basis; therefore there is no minimum time commitment for volunteers.

Administrative Volunteers

Membership Volunteers
Membership Volunteers work with the Membership Director to create mailings that serve our membership base. Duties include assembling membership packets and stuffing envelopes. We ask that the volunteer commit to at least 3 hours per week between the hours of 9 am- 5 pm Monday-Friday.

Clerical Assistants
Project Volunteers help with special projects on an as-needed basis. Duties may include stuffing envelopes, organizing files, assisting the staff with preparatory work for meetings, and other tasks. Projects are periodic; therefore there is no minimum time commitment for volunteers.

Research Library Volunteers

Research Library General Volunteers
Research Library volunteers work closely with Research Library staff to process our vast archival collections. Duties include sorting and processing of collections, data entry, and other tasks as needed. Training is provided. College credit is available for interns who work at least 8 hours per week. Volunteering takes place between 9 am- 4 pm on Tuesday-Saturday.

Photograph Archive Volunteers

Photograph Collections Processing Volunteers
Photograph Collections Processing Volunteers work closely with the Photograph Archives staff to process the over 2.5 million photographs contained in the archives. Duties include arranging, describing, or helping to identify photographs and photograph collections; re-housing images to help preserve them; and organizing collections of old photographs. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per week between the hours of 9 am – 4pm on Tuesday – Saturday.

Photoshop/Digital Image Assistant
Photoshop/Digital Image Assistants work closely with the Photograph Archives staff to digitize prints and negatives for use by patrons in our digital database. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per week between the hours of 9 am – 4pm on Tuesday – Saturday.

Photograph Department Cataloger
Photograph Department Catalogers work closely with the Photograph Archives staff to assist with the description and cataloging of our vast photograph collections. Cataloging experience preferred, but we will train especially motivated volunteers. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per week between the hours of 9 am – 4pm on Tuesday – Saturday.

Moving Image Archivist
The Moving Image Archivist will work to organize the motion picture collection. One of the Society’s unknown treasures, the collection dates back to 1898. Duties include listing, arranging, viewing and cataloging the Photograph Department’s motion pictures. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per week between the hours of 9 am – 4pm on Tuesday – Saturday.

Photograph Database Assistant
Photograph Database Assistants work closely with the Photograph Archives staff to organize the Society’s photograph database. Duties include inputting data, and developing and assisting in the creation of photographic databases. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per week between the hours of 9 am – 4pm on Tuesday – Saturday.

To apply, please send your cover letter, resume and completed volunteer application to:

Volunteer Program Coordinator
San Diego Historical Society
1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-6203 ext. 131

Download volunteer application form
Send email by clicking here.

Above image:
Men in front of saloon, 14th & K, 1887, #16778