Volunteer

At the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), volunteers provide connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. Volunteers contribute their unique talents and skills, life experiences and knowledge of our community to provide personal attention to visitors, perform vital behind-the-scenes duties and educate the public about the commonwealth's rich and diverse heritage. KHS is committed to encouraging the involvement of volunteers at all levels in the organization and within all appropriate programs and activities.

Potential volunteers are invited to apply by submitting their information below, contacting phyllis.gilman@ky.gov or visiting the volunteer office at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History at 100 W. Broadway in downtown Frankfort, Ky.

If you are looking for internship opportunities, please visit the internships page.

If you are looking for job opportunities, please visit the employment page.




Adult Volunteer Opportunities:

Churchill Weavers Project - For 85 years, Churchill Weavers produced distinctive hand-woven clothing and home textiles in Berea, Ky. until the business was auctioned in 2007. The Kentucky Historical Society was able to purchase the Churchill Weavers Collection, which includes over 250,000 fabric samples, looms, photographs and business records. Do you have an interest in textiles, weaving, photography or photo editing? Volunteer to help with this collection.

Development Data Base Entry Assistant - The Kentucky Historical Society Foundation is in need of help with data entry of donation records. Attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping is important. Data entry of these records is important to assisting the Foundation with their fundraising efforts for KHS.

Docents for the Old State Capital – KHS is in search of friendly volunteers who are comfortable communicating with the public. Do you have an interest in learning the history of the Old State Capital and sharing it with visitors? Volunteers are needed Wednesdays through Saturdays. Training is provided.

Library and Special Collections – Volunteers will assist the library with collections processing. Attention to detail and accuracy is important. Basic computer word processing skills and data entry is desirable. Volunteers must commit to a regular schedule.

Museum Collections and Exhibitions Cataloging Assistant – Do you have an interest in politics and history? The collections team is in need of volunteers to assist with preparing a 2,000-piece collection to go online. The collection includes everything from political buttons to post cards and signs. Attention to detail, experience with data entry and descriptive writing are skills helpful to this position. Training will be provided in object handling and condition reporting. Time commitment is a minimum of three hours per week, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Museum Collections and Exhibitions Records Assistant – Are you someone who likes to organize? The collections team is in need of assistance with a large records reorganization project. Duties will include filing, scanning and data entry. Training will be provided. Some light lifting and bending will be required. Attention to detail and some experience with computers are helpful in this position. Time commitment is two to three hours per week.

Special Events Assistant
Do you have limited time to volunteer but would like to get involved with the Kentucky Historical Society? Volunteers are needed during our special events with children’s and adult activities. Join the fun in welcoming the visitors, assisting with craft projects or serving refreshments. Help is also needed two to three times per year with mailings related to special events.




Youth Volunteer Opportunities:

Are you a teenager 14-18 years old looking for a fun and rewarding service project?

If you enjoy working with younger students...

KHS is in need of classroom assistants for summer Camp ArtyFact. Camp ArtyFact is a half-day camp at the Kentucky Historical Society for children ages 5 to 13. Participants explore the KHS history campus and collections and then create their own works of art. Volunteers will assist the instructors with preparation and clean up of materials, support and encourage activities of the camp participant, and assist the instructor in keeping the students focused on the task at hand.

The following are weeks available to volunteer:
1st Term: June 17-21, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
2nd Term: June 24-28, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
3rd Term: July 8-12, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
4th Term: July 15-19, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
5th Term: July 22-26, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

If you're interested in library collections and/or technology...

Special Collections and Library has a summer volunteer opportunity assisting on different types of digital projects in order to help KHS staff provide better access to collections. Are you a high school student interested in the use of technology in library and museum work? Do you know how to use a smartphone? Teen volunteers will scan photographs from historic collections, create descriptive information (metadata) to help researchers find these images, and put them on the web for easier public access. This is a two week volunteer experience with the Kentucky Historical Society: June 18-21 and June 25-28 1-4 p.m.


Contact Phyllis Gilman at phyllis.gilman@ky.gov to apply.






The Kentucky Historical Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, veteran status, ancestry or disability in employment or the provisions of services. Reasonable accommodation will be provided upon request.