Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Volunteering your time and talents is a powerful way to change the world and change your life. Add yourself to a growing list of people who care about their communities by volunteering for an organization that supports the community and preserves our history.

Our list of volunteer opportunities changes frequently. Please visit this site often to find the opportunity/project that suits your interests and schedule. We want your time at the Historical Society to be fulfilling.

If you believe one of these positions would be right for you, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below, stating your skills, hours available to volunteer per week, and your time commitment (a few weeks, months, etc.). One of the staff members will respond. Thank you for considering volunteering at HSP.


 

Education

Those interested in volunteering in Education should see the opportunities listed in Internships.  Those tasks also can be undertaken by a volunteer.

Contact: Beth Twiss Houting

 

Public Services

Analysis of Collection Use:

Volunteers needed to measure how frequently researchers use specific manuscript collections, in order to assist both Conservation in determining preservation requirements and Archives in determining processing priorities. The volunteer would take a weekly survey of the call slips by listing those slips received each Wednesday night. This is a six-month project. 

Contact:  Sarah Heim  There are no volunteer opportunities in this department at the present time. Please check back later.

General Library Assistance:

Volunteers needed to assist at the reference desk and in the Reading Room, to reshelve books in the open stacks, and to complete photocopy orders.  Work on other library projects possible as need arises. 

Contact: David Haugaard

 

Cataloging

The HSP Cataloging Department does not currently have any openings for new volunteers, but please watch this space for possible openings in the coming months.

 

Archives

The HSP Archives Department does not currently have any openings for new volunteers, but please watch this space for possible openings in the coming months.