Volunteer & Intern

JOIN US! Your Support is Vital!
Quite simply, we couldn’t do what we do, and do so well, without the support of our volunteers and our interns.

Volunteer time commitments are modest and the benefits are many, including free admission to the Museum, its programs and special events, invitations to staff-only events and outings, the opportunity to learn about 19th-century New York — and that really, really nice feeling you get from helping a worthy cause.

Volunteers visit Gracie Mansion

A group of Merchant’s House Museum volunteers visit Gracie Mansion

Volunteer Opportunities

Weekend Docent

Weekend docents are stationed in one of the period rooms or move about the house leading discussions about life in 19th century New York City and the 85-plus year history of the house as a museum; answering visitor questions; and keeping a close an eye on the collection. Training materials and guidance from staff are provided.

Tour Guide

The museum offers guided tours during open hours and for adult and student groups by appointment. Group tours tours are usually scheduled on weekdays. Training is provided and takes six to eight weeks.

Weekday Admissions & Shop Assistant

Welcoming visitors is one of the most important volunteer duties. You are the “face” of the Merchant’s House and may be the only person with whom a visitor interacts. Your enthusiasm and passion are infectious and integral to the visitor’s impression of the museum. Responsibilities include collecting admission fees, introducing the Self-Guided Tour, and selling items in the gift shop. Research projects are available during slow periods.

Event & Program Planning & Staffing

Volunteers are essential in helping make our education programs, e.g., lectures, concerts; garden wedding rentals, and fundraisers run smoothly by welcoming attendees, preparing and serving food and beverages, and much more. Volunteers also help behind-the-scenes with event planning and promotion.

Special Projects

Do you have a great idea or unique skill set that you’d like to share with the Museum? We’d love to hear about it. Or contact us for a current list of behind-the-scenes projects in our research, collections, education, marketing and communications, or administrative departments.

How to Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter stating your interests and availability to nyc1832@merchantshouse.org or 29 East Fourth Street, New York, NY 10003.

Thank you!

Academic Internships

The Museum offers academic internships each semester in various fields, e.g., education, decorative arts, collections care & historic housekeeping, textiles and costumes, architecture and historic preservation, marketing and communications, and museum administration.

In addition to undertaking projects in their specialized field of interest, the Museum offers interns the opportunity to take part in daily operations, providing a comprehensive view of the widespread activities of a historic house museum.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter stating your interests and availability to nyc1832@merchantshouse.org.