Volunteer
There are many ways that you can contribute to the Mahwah Museum’s mission and its work.
Join A Committee!
The Mahwah Museum has a number of Committees which get work done on almost every aspect of the Museum’s work, including exhibits, events, membership and operations. Check out our Committee List to get a sense of the opportunities available!
If you are interested in joining a committee, please email the museum at director@mahwahmuseum.org, call the museum at (201)-512-0099, or email the committee chair of interest. The committee chair email addresses can be found on the Committee List page.
Become a Docent
Saturdays, 1 pm to 4 pm.
Docents open the museum, give tours, answer questions, and close the museum at the end of the day. Docents work in pairs during our operating hours — 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays from September to June — at the main Museum, and — Sundays from 2-4 p.m., late June to mMid-September — at the Old Station Museum and Caboose. Docents can work as often as they like; new docents are always teamed with experienced docents. We provide training and a schedule so that you know how and when you are needed. Docenting is a wonderful way to learnabout and contribute to Mahwah’s history.
If you are interested in becoming a docent, please email the museum at director@mahwahmuseum.org or call the museum at (201) 512-0099.
Help Maintain Our Model Railroad
Are you a train buff? The Donald Cooper Model Railroad is one of our most popular permanent exhibits. The layout is a favorite stop for children of all ages.
Our Donald Cooper Model Railroad volunteer team meets on Wednesday evenings year round to work on our large HO, DCC-controlled model railroad layout. Some of our volunteers are carpenters, electricians, computer experts, train maintenance people, artists, or model railroad engineers. In addition, some like to volunteer as docents for the railroad exhibit on weekends to run the railroad and answer questions from museum visitors. The railroad is constantly growing and changing, so help is always appreciated. Our railroad volunteers also keep the trains running for students, scout groups and other special occasions.
Please email the model train exhibit director at railroad@mahwahmuseum.org or call the museum at (201) 512-0099 if you are interested.
Gather and Preserve Local History
Lend a hand in gathering and preserving local history by helping us collect new information, and documenting and preserving the archival materials that the Mahwah Museum already has. The Mahwah Museum is always looking for help with interviewing seniors, long-time residents, friends and family as well as transcribing oral history interviews, converting old audio files to shareable content and organizing storytelling events.
Volunteers are also vital to our ability to expand the Mahwah Veterans Project. This work can be done at the Museum or remotely.
If you are interested, please email the Archives Committee Chair at archives@mahwahmuseum.org or call the museum at (201)-512-0099.
Help with Exhibits
We are always developing new exhibits and need help with research, mounting and displaying panels and objects, and engaging with the community. If you have an idea for an exhibit or would like to work with us on an exhibit, we want to hear from you!
If you are interested, please email the Exhibits Committee Chair at exhibits@mahwahmuseum.org or call the museum at (201)-512-0099.
Become an Intern
Are you a high school or college student seeking a new experience? We have lots of work available for students across all aspects of the museum, including archiving, publicity, fundraising andresearch. Interns have helped catalog our library, made films and videos, conducted oral histories, digitized newspapers, and assisted in the analysis of archaeological digs. While a great experience for history students, our interns have also included students interested in library work, computer science, law, and communications. Internships can usually be arranged for course credit and help your resume stand out from the crowd. Please fill in the form below, attach a resume and indicate the area you would like to intern in.