Explore the Volunteer Program
at the Harvard Museum of Natural History

The museum welcomes enthusiastic naturalists with various language backgrounds, interests, and levels of education to apply as volunteers. The minimum age for acceptance into the volunteer program is sixteen.

Roles for Volunteers

The majority of HMNH volunteers serve as Gallery Guides who engage visitors by interpreting the exhibits through hands-on gallery activities, Nature Storytime readings, gallery sketching, and other public programs.

Museum volunteers do not work behind-the-scenes with the scientific departments and curatorial staff.  

Information Sessions to find out more about the HMNH Gallery Guide program will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 2:30–4:00 pm and on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 2:30-4:00 pm. Information Sessions take place in Classroom A on the main 3rd floor of the Museum. RSVP requested for either session.

Time Commitment

Gallery Guide volunteers are asked to commit to a weekly four-hour shift on weekdays or weekends from 9:15 am to 1:15 pm or 12:45 to 4:45 pm.

New Gallery Guide Volunteer Training

Volunteers receive extensive training and support. Training courses include museum interpretive skills and scientific content pertaining to a specific museum gallery and are offered several times a year. The Summer Intensive Gallery Guide training will run from Monday through Thursday, June 24-June 27, 2013 from 3:30-6:30 pm each day. It is necessary to attend all four sessions to be qualified as a volunteer.

Application Process

If you would like to learn more about volunteer and internship opportunities at the Museum, complete the application and email or fax it to Carol Carlson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 617.384.7180.