The Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. is usually mistaken as one vast building that houses all the treasures of America and the environment. Truly, the Smithsonian represents over 19 seperate buildings that seat on particular artifacts. There are six buildings along the National Mall. One specializes in Natural History and one on American History. There is a building for African Art and one for the American Indian. The Air and Space Museum is probably the most popular. It is advised to reside in the greater Washington, D.C. area for at least a year before attempting to volunteer at the great Smithsonian. It is possible to become a volunteer in this treasured museum.
Instructions
1. Access the Smithsonian website. You will find it listed in our Resources section. Follow the links to the Museum Information Desk Program. Read all the information provided, noting that at least a one year commitment is required. The volunteer may not get to volunteer at the museum of choice, but nearly all museums are shorthanded.
2. Note that volunteering for the Air and Space Museum at both the National Mall and the Udvar-Hazy Center out at Dulles International Airport is separate from the other Smithsonian museums. It requires accessing the Volunteer Services link on the listed website. Follow similar procedures.6.
Anacostia Museum is in the southeast and has its own Metro stop. The museum focuses on the influence of African-American culture over the last few centuries.
4. Consider the Docent Program. In this, volunteers lead tours through a specific museum. Generally these volunteers focus on their field of expertise, and they complete a vigorous training and testing program.
5. Honor the training dates as well as the scheduled times once you are accepted into the program. This is a great opportunity, and you want to honor it fully.3. Note that the museums outside the recognized mall area, like Renwick and the National Portrait Gallery, require different Metro stops.
Volunteer on the weekends when the museums are at their busiest. Parking at any Metro station is free on the weekends. Metro into the Smithsonian station at the National Mall.
