Volunteer

Spend your time volunteering on the waterfront! We invite you to become a part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s family throughout our exciting season. Come help us celebrate the wonders of the Hudson River, the historic Rondout district of Kingston, and the beautiful Hudson Valley.

The museum has opportunities for many talents:

  • Always helpful? Volunteer in our gift shop as the face of the museum and the front line of guest relations.
  • Enjoy being outside? Assist on our docks and grounds crew or conduct tours to the historic Rondout Lighthouse aboard M/V Lark.
  • Like to talk? Take this opportunity to share your enthusiasm for the Hudson River through museum and lighthouse tours with  visitors and school groups.

Training and orientation will be offered on a rolling basis. Orientation allows prospective docents and volunteers to meet the staff, tour the museum, learn about the different aspects of the volunteer position, and to ask any questions they may have. Training allows docents and volunteers to learn specific procedures and the history of the site.

The museum is open seven days a week, May through October from 11 am to 5 pm. School tours may begin as early as 9 am. People able to volunteer weekly are preferred, but scheduling is flexible.

Qualities we look for:

  • Interested in local, regional, and/or maritime history
  • Comfortable speaking to groups in a professional manner
  • Reliable and courteous
  • Good customer service skills

This is an excellent opportunity for students, retired teachers, history buffs, seniors, and people who simply love this historic region.

Among the museum’s many valued volunteers, the following individuals have offered their time and talents for more than one year of service: Ralph Allen, Frank Almquist, Peggy Almquist, Debbie Barnes, Jeannine Bellizzi, Janet Bevier, Bill Drakert, Fran Drakert, Leslie Drojak, Milton Hurwitz, Klaudia Frizzell, Ray Frizzell, Kingston Sailing Club, Russell Lange, Ralph Mills, John Moser, Rondout Rowing Club, Linda Scott, Ron Searl, John Shults, Joan Walker, Bill Whittaker, Joyce Wright.

For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (845) 338-0071, ext. 16 or email swassberg@hrmm.org.