For those who would like to volunteer as docents at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage
1. What the Museum offers you:
§ The opportunity to learn about the history of our roads, and of one of the oldest tollgate cottages (circa 1835) surviving anywhere in Canada, and its surrounding neighbourhood.
§ The chance to improve your public speaking and interpretive skills.
§ The occasion to work a fine group of dedicated volunteers in a convivial setting..
§ The chance to help preserve local history by educating visitors to the Cottage
2. What the Museum asks of you:
§ To learn about the Cottage with the help of our docents, and our library of information. We have lots of interesting reading material!
§ It would be great if you could make your own ‘period dress’ (we don’t call it a costume!), but lots of help is available! Don’t be put off if this is not in your skill set!
§ To spend about one Saturday a month shadowing the present docents, until you are ready to lead tours of the museum on your own.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A DOCENT AT THE TOLLKEEPER’S COTTAGE?
DO CENTˈdōs(ə)nt/ — definition: a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.
We’re on the lookout for a reliable, enthusiastic person who loves history and enjoys sharing it. We’d like you to be available for one or two Saturdays a month from noon to 5:00 pm, or one Sunday per month from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Let us know at tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com.
In the photo above, our summer docent Annie Prionas is interviewed by our journalist volunteer, Den Hanagan with a few of our books ready for the upcoming Book Sale. Take a look at the interview by clicking here to find out more about how Annie describes her experience this summer at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage and see if this is the kind of thing you’d like to do.