The Alexandria Black History Museum, including the Watson Reading Room, needs volunteers who have an interest in Alexandria’s African American history and culture as well as African American history in general.

Volunteers work three-hour shifts, every other week, on a regular basis. Opportunities are also available for teenagers ages 16-18. Volunteers are needed to:

• Assist with cataloging books for the Watson Reading Room
• Assist staff with general administrative duties
• Train to give tours of the Center and African American Heritage Park
• Act as a receptionist at the Center’s front desk and assist visitors
• Work in the museum’s collection storage area
• Act as an independent research assistant for the ABHM, doing research at different historic sites and libraries in the metropolitan area.

Volunteers are required to attend In-Service Training Workshops. During these workshops staff members instruct volunteers in the basics of museum work and ethics. In-Service Days are also opportunities for volunteers to share information about their different projects.

Benefits to being a Center volunteer include free and reduced rates for Center activities, the ability to check out books from the Watson Reading Room, advance notification of openings and new exhibitions within the Office of Historic Alexandria and learning about African American history and culture.

If you would like to volunteer, please fill out our on-line application, or call the Center at 703-838-4356.