Help protect history and keep the heritage of railroads alive at one of the most exciting Museums in the United States.
General Info
The California State Railroad Museum has a variety of volunteer opportunities that you can participate in! Whatever your skillset, there are many ways for you to be an active and vital member of the California State Railroad Museum Volunteer community.
School Program Volunteers
Are you passionate about educating and inspiring young minds?The California State Railroad Museum is looking for dedicated volunteers to join our team as Field Trip Docents for 4th and 5th-grade students. As a Field Trip Docent, you will have the chance to share the rich history of the Transcontinental Railroad with eager young learners in a fast paced and interactive environment.
You should be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday mornings in March, April, and May. While experience working with children is preferred, we also offer training on interpreting to children.
If you have a passion for education and can commit your time to inspire young students, we want to hear from you! To learn more, please fill out this short form. Upon completion of the form, we will email you with more information about the training process and our school programs.
Ways to get involved
Volunteers are able to assist with the following:
The preservation and restoration of artifacts in the Museum’s collection and work behind the scenes in the Upholstery Shop, Museum Library & Archives, and the Restoration Shops.
Volunteers on the Maintenance of Way crew and Signals Department maintain the tracks and signals along the mainline of the California State Railroad Museum’s operating railroad, the Sacramento Southern.
Docents provide tours, conduct hands-on interpretive activities, and participate in school programs.
Active docents may also elect to receive specialized training for programs such as the Sacramento Southern Railroad and the Amtrak Interpretive Program.
Applications & Upcoming Training
Would you like to help preserve, interpret, or communicate our railroad history? Do you have a passion for inspiring others, restoring vintage equipment, or simply want to help maintain the tracks or signals of our operating railroad? Help make a difference and volunteer with the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento State Historic Park!
Volunteer Applications
Applications to become a volunteer with the California State Railroad Museum can be submitted at any time. Email [email protected] for more information.
Please note that the restoration shops and library & archives are fully staffed at this time and not able to take on more volunteers.
Training
As demand and scheduling allows, potential volunteers will be interviewed and invited to join the volunteer program. Depending on the department that volunteers are interested in, the training schedule may vary.
For potential Museum Docents and Railroad Operations Docents, the training schedule lasts approximately 4 weeks.
Questions?
For more information, contact CSRM's Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or (916) 445-0269.