The Museum of Nebraska History experiencing a docent drought and is looking for help.

The Nebraska State Historical Society's Museum of Nebraska History is facing a docent drought-not enough docents to give guided museum tours to the 11,000+ students who visit the museum each year. Only about half the school groups visiting the museum receive guided tours, but most want them. What once was a river of docents-many of them retired school teachers-has dried up so the Historical Society is looking for help. To prepare new docents, the Museum will host a Docent Orientation Event, Tuesday, October 22, 9-11am at the Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P Streets, and docent training sessions, in November -- February.

"We can currently accommodate only half of the requests for guided tours, and so we hope to double our docent team," says Jessica Stoner, Museum Educator. Last year groups came to the Museum of Nebraska History from as far away as Halsey, Albion, and as near as McPhee Elementary in Lincoln. "When you've got five or more students, a docent is so much more helpful and informative and makes the trip much more worth our time," says Jerene Kruse, K-5 Art Educator at Boone Central in Albion. Ms. Kruse also valued the intergenerational experience in her recent tour, "It is good for the students to get the idea that the older generation really has something special to share. A lot of kids have little contact with a grandparent or a retired person, they don't hear the stories of what past generations have gone through."

No previous knowledge or training is required to become a docent as both Nebraska history and communication strategies are covered in docent training. Desirable characteristics for docents include a willingness to learn and communicate stories of Nebraska history using historical objects and biographies, and ingenuity in working with groups of various ages, interests, and abilities. Benefits include flexible scheduling, behind the scenes experiences, working with kids, and the chance to learn in-depth history. To apply or nominate someone to join the Museum of Nebraska History's docent program, please contact:

Deb McWilliams / Volunteer Coordinator
Nebraska State Historical Society
P. O. Box 82554
Lincoln, NE 68501
402-471-4955