Volunteering at the Museum 
There are always things that need doing at the Museum so we can always use some help.
No previous experience is necessary for many of these jobs and we look forward to adding you to our team!
We value our volunteers and have created a
Volunteer Handbook (2.58 MB) to assist them.
(Note: Due to Municipal and Provincial legislation all volunteers who work with the public must take part in the municipal training program and undergo an Orientation to the Museum. Some positions may be requested to get a background check.)
If you would like to volunteer at the Museum please come in and pick up, or download, the following form:
Volunteer Application (107.19 kB)
Volunteer Application (370.5 kB) Return the completed form and the Curator will contact you to set up an interview time.
Fax: 519-538-+5974
E-mail:
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Mail: 111 Bayfield St, Meaford, ON N4L1N4
If you are a minor (under 18 years of age) and would like to volunteer at the Museum please fill out the regular application found under "How do I volunteer?" and include the form below. We welcome high school students who are looking to do their community service hours.
Minor Permission Form (138.88 kB)
AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Transcription Specialist
We have been given a number of oral interviews on audio tape, over 20. They date back to the 1970's and were done with very important and influential residents. We need to have them transcribed and indexed. If you can assist with either of these jobs we would like to hear from you.
Riley Collection Scanning Assistant(s)
We recently received a large collection from photographer Thomas Riley. He was a local freelance photographer for the Toronto Telegram and the Meaford Express. The collection consists of over 200 printed photographs and over 1700 negatives. We require a volunteer who is willing to scan everything, invert the negatives into pictures, and enter them into our collections database. This will make them available to us as research material.
You do not have to do everything yourself but any time you could provide would be appreciated. As you can imagine 1700 of anything takes a lot of time! The photos are fascinating and this would be an enjoyable task for anyone interested in Meaford's history.
Riley Collection Research Assistant(s)
We recently recieved a large collection from the photographer Thomas Reiley. He was a local freelance photographer for the Toronto Telegram and the Meaford Express. The collection consists of over 200 printed photographs and over 1700 negatives. Mr. Riley was the 'social columnist' and his collection includes many unidentified pictures of women, children, and couples. There are also pictures of places and events that we cannot name. We require a volunteer who is willing to search through back issues of the Toronto Telegram and the Meaford Express and match the photos with the correct stories. This would be like a massive jigsaw puzzle with 1000 pieces! Anyone up for the challenge?
PastPerfect Collections Assistant(s)
The Museum was fortunate to aquire the funds to purchase a Collections Management Program. This program is a wonderful way to track our collection. However, most of our records are either paper, or in word processors. We need someone who would be willing to learn this program and assist us with data entry. It's a fascinating program and would provide a unique glimpse into the Museum's collection.
Heritage Photographer
Many changes happen to the buildings of Meaford on a regular basis. The Meaford Museum would like to catalogue these changes by taking pictures of ALL the buildings in Meaford to create a photographic record. In years to come people will ask us what these buildings looked like and we will be able to tell them. Are you a shutter bug who'd like to help us?
Photograph Identification
The museum is home to hundreds of photographs in which the people and/or places are a mystery to us. You are welcome to come down and look through the pictures to see who or what you can recognize.
Oral History Leader
Do you like to talk? Are you interested in history? Would you be willing to help us record local oral history? We'd love to have the ability to interview our older and/or long term residents for their memories of Meaford but we don't have the staff to do this. Would you be willing to help?
Responsible To: Curator
Location: Variable
Hours of Work: Flexible as needed
Qualifications: Basic knowledge of word processing, strong research skills.
Job Description:
In order to produce exhibits we require information. Any help aquiring that information would be greatly appreciated. We are currently looking for researchers for teh following topics:
♦ Meaford Pump House
♦ Meaford Water Sysetm
♦ Barber/Georgian Foundry
If you have another topic you'd like to research, that you think would make a great exhibit, please feel free to bring it to the Curator's attention.
Responsible To: Curator
Location: Museum
Hours of Work: Open hours; flexible
Qualifications: Knowledge of how to type and operate a computer; an eye for detail
Job Description:
Assist the staff in recording, cataloguing, transcribing documents and care of archival materials located in the Museum's Archives. You will be part of a team entering our archive inform into our new Collectiomns program, PastPerfect. On-the-job training is provided.
Responsible To: Curator/ Fund-raising Sub-Committee
Location: Variable based on job needs
Hours of Work: Flexible
Qualifications: Knowledge of how fund-raising works on a small town scale or on a larger more cooperate scale is an asset but not necessary; innovative and creative mind
Job Description:
You can assist with any portion of an event from planning to execution. We also welcome those who would like to lead a team on a fundraising project for the Museum.
Responsible To: Curator
Location: Museum gardens
Hours of Work: Flexible as needed; seasonal
Qualifications: Basic knowledge of gardening and flowers. A knowledge of herbs and heritage flowers would be an asset.
Job Description:
Volunteers needed to assist with the development and cultivation of the Museum's gardens and light outdoor maintenance.
