Volunteers are the life blood of any organization and that is certainly the case at the Rice County Historical Society. Volunteers are the reason that we are able to achieve our mission and reach our goals.

We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer! We have projects that suit everyone.

Please see the list of ongoing projects below for some of the many available volunteer activities. Volunteer training sessions are provided, so don’t worry about previous experience. We are always looking for volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors and RCHS committees.  If you have the interest and a bit of time, let us know. and to all of you who volunteered over the years, Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Interested in volunteering with RCHS? We’d love to hear from you! 

Ongoing Projects:

Computer and office work

Archives and Collections:Process RCHS archives and collection items utilizing Past Perfect 5.0 software

Newsletter:write stories, research topics of interest

Website:Update and further develop the RCHS Website

Historical Records: Index birth and death records, Simple scrap booking

Research and Library

Research:Research topics and projects as needed, assist others with research, write blogs or newsletter articles

Research Rural Schools:Develop a list of former students and teachers from the many Rice County rural schools, make a display of original records and photos

Library:Assist with organizing the Research library

Museum

Exhibits and Displays:Change exhibits and displays in the Museum, Cabin, Schoolhouse, Church and Harvest and Heritage Hall

Tours:Assist with School Groups/Clubs/Organizations touring the Museum, Alexander Faribault House, or Outbuildings (training and material provided)

Events:Help out during the Rice County Fair and Special Events as a RCHS Volunteer at the Museum, Harvest & Heritage Hall, School house, or Log Cabin

Programs

Public Programs:Plan and/or present public programs

Entertainment:Play the piano or musical instrument at special functions

Youth Programs:Plan and/or assist with special activities for Children’s Holiday Programs, A One Room School Experience, Living History Camp, or Junior Historians.

Maintenance

Outdoors:Care for flowers and landscape during the spring, summer and fall

Indoors:Light housekeeping, simple repairs, remove trash and recyclable

Board of Directors

The Rice County Historical Society Board of Directors is made up of 15 Rice County residents, each with their own set of interests and skill that they share with the Historical Society.  At our October Annual Meeting, the RCHS membership elects five members to our board . If you are interested in donating your time and energy to serving on this Board, please contact Sue Garwood at 507-332-2121 for more information.

As a member of the Board of Directors, an individual is responsible for attending monthly meetings and serving on at least one committee. All Board Members are also asked to attend events and be a member of the RCHS.

RCHS Committees

In addition, the RCHS has several committees that work to keep the museum going.  Each would welcome additional volunteers.  These are: Building Committee, Collections Committee, Educational Committee, Fair Committee, Programs Committee, Publications Committee, and Event Committee.  If you are interested in helping any of these committees out, please call the museum at 507-332-2121