Visitors at the 10th Anniversary Volunteers in the History Lab color block People attending an event Performer at a Festival color block Washington State History Museum

Volunteer Opportunities

The Importance of Volunteers

Volunteers at the Washington State Historical Society play a valuable role as an extension of museum staff. Volunteers offer our visitors personal dimension in a building filled with valuable, historically significant artifacts. Through your enthusiastic assistance, visitors receive the services of a teacher, motivator, actor, information specialist, and museum representative.

Because you help form the public face of our institution, we support you in your work with thorough training classes, guiding policies, engaging exhibits, and complementary educational materials.

The benefits of volunteering for the Washington State Historical Society:

  • Meet visitors from around the country and the world
  • Work with other volunteers who share your interest in Washington state history
  • Free parking during volunteer shift
  • Notification of new exhibits and public programs
  • Ongoing education classes
  • Annual volunteer appreciation luncheon
  • Holiday potluck
  • Visits to other museums and historical sites
  • Volunteer appreciation week with reciprocal free admission to other Puget Sound area museums
  • Free admission to the Washington State History Museum
  • Discount in the NW Museum Store

In return we ask:

  • A minimum one-year commitment of one shift per week
  • Attendance at continuing education programs
  • Advance notification when you are unable to be here at your scheduled time

If you are interested in volunteering for the Historical Society, please either fill out the online Volunteer Application; or download the Volunteer Application. Download the Request for Criminal History Information, complete sections C & D, sign the application, and mail it to the address below:

Magda Nieves
Volunteer Coordinator
1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 798-5922
Email: mnieves@wshs.wa.gov

1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 272-3500
1-888-BE THERE
(253) 272-9518 Fax
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