Volunteer with Us

Be a Part of Preserving Novato’s History

History belongs to all of us.

Pitch in, have fun, and help preserve the rich history of Novato by becoming a museum volunteer! Whether you're a lifelong resident or a newcomer, volunteering is a great way to deepen your connection to Novato's history. Explore the opportunities below and find a role that fits your interests and schedule.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Group of people standing outside a building with a sign that reads 'Hamilton Field History Museum' under a clear blue sky.

    Museum Docent

    Step into the heart of Novato’s history by becoming a Museum Docent. Volunteers greet visitors and direct them to the museum exhibits on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Don’t worry about memorizing every detail—our exhibits are clearly labeled, and you’ll have all the support you need. Choose how often you volunteer—once a month or once a week, it’s up to you!

  • Bookshelves filled with labeled gray and white storage boxes, binders, and assorted papers in an office setting. Novato History Museum.

    Artifact Inventory

    Help us preserve Novato’s past by joining the team that documents and inventories historical artifacts. Using Past Perfect, a specialized software for history museums, you’ll enter key information about donated items. No prior experience is necessary—we’ll provide training and ongoing support to help you succeed.

  • Historical display at the Novato History Museum with black-and-white photographs of a town's development from the 1900s to the 1970s on the wall, and vintage artifacts inside and around a glass display case.

    Exhibit Committees

    If you love research, creativity, and bringing history to life, consider joining one of our Exhibit Committees. You'll work on curating new exhibits, locating artifacts, designing display layouts, and setting up the museum. This is a perfect fit for anyone interested in history and design!

  • Two women working at an office desk with filing cabinets and shelves in the background in the Novato History Museum.

    Photo Identification

    Both of our museums house valuable photograph collections, but many need additional context—like where and when they were taken. You’ll become a detective, cross-referencing photos and documents to help us piece together the story behind each image.

  • Computer monitor displaying 'Oral Histories' on a wooden desk, with a closed silver laptop, a yellow notepad, a pen, and a book titled 'Silent Wings' nearby. Novato History Museum.

    Oral Histories

    Do you enjoy hearing personal stories? Become an Oral History Interviewer or camera operator and help us capture the stories that make Novato unique. Our collection of oral histories is a treasure, and we need your help to continue adding to the collection. We’ll provide the training, equipment, and a list of people to interview.

  • Third grade tours at the Novato History Museum. Children sitting outdoors on a wooden bench, listening to three women speaking in front of a red wooden building with white-trimmed windows, during daytime.

    Third-Grade Tours

    In the spring, third-grade classes visit the Novato History Museum as part of their history curriculum. As a Third-Grade Docent, you’ll guide these young learners on a tour of the museum and Old Town Novato. It’s a rewarding way to share the history of their community, and we offer training and support.

  • A man with glasses and wearing a gray shirt working at a computer in an office with a beige wall, a landscape painting, and various office supplies on the desk at the Novato History Museum.

    Digital Creation

    If you’re creative and tech-savvy, help us bring Novato’s history to life on our website! Use photos and oral histories to craft compelling stories about our town’s past. This is a great opportunity to engage with history in a fun and creative way. Check out our website at novatohistory.org/museums for inspiration.

  • Three women standing behind a table with Halloween decorations and crafts at an outdoor event. The table is covered with a pumpkin-themed tablecloth, and there are various decorations including small skulls, pumpkins, and a skeleton cutout. A tent roof with red maple leaf decorations is overhead, and there are trees and greenery in the background.

    Community Engagement

    If you enjoy planning events, this is a task for you. We are always looking for engaging ways to share Novato’s history at community events, like Art & Wine Festival, 4th of July parade, Tree Lighting.  Working with the two museums you could plan special events for the museums such as the opening of a new exhibit.  This is an opportunity to be creative and connect with the community.

  • Flyer for Novato Historical Guild quarterly membership meeting featuring a black-and-white photo of a building labeled 'Club Rio' located at the north end of the Novato Creek Bridge, east side of 101, with text details about the event including date, time, location, topic of roadside Marini billboards, and a guest speaker.

    Computer Skills & Social Media

    This task involves using computer and design skills to create flyers and emails for Guild events to go on our website and social media.  If Canva and Mailchimp (or similar programs) are your kind of fun, you would enjoy this task.

Hamilton Field Airbase Museum in Novato California.
Novato History Museum California.

Ready to volunteer?