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Nonprofit
Museum Volunteers: Engage Research Learn Fishing Community
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Description
We're looking for friendly individuals who want to get involved in the community - whether you're part of a fishing family, interested in history, or just enjoy talking to people, we'd love to have you!
There are a variety of opportunities for volunteers, ranging from welcoming visitors and staffing the reception area to assisting with educational programs, research, collections management, and special events!
Members of the commercial fishing community - we invite you to share your industry knowledge by leading walking tours of the waterfront, demonstrating industry skills and marine crafts, or talking to school groups about your work.
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, located in the New Bedford National Park, engages visitors with our major exhibit More Than a Job: Work and Community in New Bedford’s Fishing Industry. With a working deck and foc’sle, the exhibit includes interactive elements like a fish identification board and a wheelhouse where you can operate the radar. Authentic voices from those in the industry are captured at 60 audio stations, and a celebration of the diversity of New Bedford’s fishing community is shown throughout. People of all ages are finding the Center moving, entertaining and inspiring!
We need volunteers to staff the Center and engage our visitors with the new exhibit by interacting in conversation. We also need volunteers interested in helping out with group visits, research, cataloging, and more.
Training is provided about exhibits, the gift shop, programs and the fishing community of New Bedford. If you and/or your family are fishermen please help us and teach us a thing or two! This is a great opportunity to share what you know about the commercial fishing industry and local fishing community. Volunteers are provided with talks from experts and tours of local fishing businesses as ongoing training.
Volunteer hours are flexible and can be scheduled according to your availability. Please email operations@ fishingheritagecenter.org for more information or call 508-993-8894.
Location
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Directions
From Providence and points West:
Follow I-195 East into Massachusetts to Exit 15, “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the first set of lights turn right onto Elm Street. At the second intersection, turn left onto Bethel Street. The Fishing Heritage Center is half a block up on the left.
From Cape Cod and points East:
Follow I-195 West to Exit 15, “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the first set of lights turn right onto Elm Street. At the second intersection, turn left onto Bethel Street. The Fishing Heritage Center is half a block up on the left.
From Boston and points North:
Follow Rt. 24 South to Exit 12, “Rt. 140, New Bedford.” [Depending on your area of departure you may choose I-93 South to Rt. 24; or, I-95 South to I-93 to Rt. 24; or, I-495 South to Rt. 24.] Follow Rt. 140 to Exit 2 (second ramp), “I-195 East, Cape Cod.” Follow I-195 East about 1 mile to Exit 15, “Rte. 18 Downtown.” At the first set of lights turn right onto Elm Street. At the second intersection, turn left onto Bethel Street. The Fishing Heritage Center is half a block up on the left.
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Volunteer Benefits
- An overview tour of our exhibits, fishing industry content, and our programming
- Hands-on training at the welcome desk and gift shop
- Join a Working Waterfront tour for free
- Attend special presentations from industry experts and tours of local fishing businesses
- Receive membership benefits (includes gift shop and program discounts)
For more information or if you need a quicker response, please stop by the center, call (508) 993-8894. or email operations@fishingheritagecenter.org.
More volunteer opportunities:
- Assist with educational programs
- Conduct research
- Assist with collections management
- Help with special events
If you work or worked in the fishing industry or are part of a fishing family, we hope you will share your industry skills and knowledge:
- Lead walking tours of the working waterfront
- Demonstrate industry skills (net mending, rigging, knot tying, etc.)
- Demonstrate maritime crafts (model making, marlinspike artistry, etc.)
- Talk with school groups or visitors about your work and life
