With the New Year now well underway, maybe it’s time to consider doing something valuable with your spare time and becoming a volunteer at the Railroad Museum, North America’s most popular railroad museum.
In fact, the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering to help communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush.
For those interested, a special, drop-in Volunteer Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Stanford Gallery located at 111 I Street in Old Sacramento (next door to the California State Railroad Museum).
Volunteer applications are being accepted now through January 30 and will be followed by an interview process. Each year, more than 500 men and women volunteer for the California State Railroad Museum’s programs — including weekend excursion train operations, track construction, restoration and maintenance, even clerical work. A background in history is not required to become a volunteer. In fact, most of the volunteers in the popular program began with little knowledge of railroads or the Gold Rush.
As individuals become more familiar with the Museum’s varied and frequent programs, many volunteers take on additional responsibilities, such as conducting research or giving talks to community organizations. New docents can choose to work in the Museum interacting with visitors from around the world, working in the railroad restoration shops on rare and unique railroad equipment, work on the Sacramento Southern Railroad, or other jobs in this dynamic and fun environment.
Volunteering represents a serious commitment of at least 84 volunteer hours annually, but the hours are flexible and the rewards can be tremendous. Docents receive perks such as a discount at the Museum Store, preferential and/or early access to selected special events, and the pride of working at North America’s finest and most visited railroad museum.
Volunteer applications can be downloaded at parks.ca.gov and completed forms can be emailed to allaboard.csrm@parks.ca.gov or mailed/delivered to the Volunteer Coordinator, California State Railroad Museum, 111 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814. For more information, please call 916-445-0269.
Photo is courtesy of the California State Railroad Museum
