Volunteering
Volunteering and Interning
We need YOU! You can become part of our team of volunteers and interns, who are critical to daily Museum operations and who support a multi-dimensional program by working in a variety of areas. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge and skills in a fun working environment, consider the opportunities below.  To apply fill out the application and mail it to the Volunteer Coordinator at:
 
Volunteer Coordinator
South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038 
 
Or you email your application to the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteercoordinator@southstseaport.org.
 

Bowne Print Shop
Assist with the interpretation and explanation of the 19th century printing industry’s importance to trade. Greet and help customers with their purchases and orientation to the historic district and Museum. Training is provided. Requirements: Strong interpersonal skills.
Curatorial/Collections
After training, curatorial volunteers and interns work with Museum artifacts and assist with Museum exhibitions. Duties include: inventorying and cataloging items in the Museum’s collection and library, researching for upcoming exhibitions, helping with exhibit installation, and general administrative duties.  Other short-term projects may arise depending on the needs of the department.
Docents/Historical Interpreters
Docents are prepared through workshop training and self-study to give tours of the Museum, the Historic District, and the Museum’s vessels to the public. Docents must provide a minimum of two tours per month for the Museum.
Education
Volunteers and interns in the Education Department assist with public programs, book talks, lectures, workshops, walking tours and family programming.
Finance
The Finance Department has many functions, including oversight of the Museum’s financial resources and reputation, ensuring its integrity as a responsible steward of public funds, and providing an effective financial management infrastructure.
Institutional Advancement
Institutional Advancement finds and secures funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals, and provides recognition for donors. The department obtains funding for general operating support as well as gifts restricted to specific exhibits, programs and vessels. Institutional Advancement also oversees community relations, including public outreach and marketing.
Maritime Crafts Center
Entry level:
Docent for the Maritime Craft Center (Model Shop).  Duties include answering the phone and visitor questions.
Requirements: High school or higher education. Good customer-service skills.

Specialized: If the applicant’s portfolio of maritime crafts is of excellent quality, he or she can build model ships and ships in bottles, carve figureheads and signs, and otherwise engage in maritime crafts at the Model Shop. Must be prepared to explain their craft to Museum visitors.
Requirements: High level of skill. Strong interpersonal skills.
Ships
The Museum maintains the largest privately-owned fleet of historic vessels in the country. Volunteers and interns help maintain and interpret the stationary vessels and operate, maintain and interpret the working vessels.