Docent Don Roberts shares his passion for history with a visitor to the Collector’s Gallery at the Custom House Maritime Museum.
Written By Donald Roberts
I am a lifelong learner who loves the history of Newburyport and the Merrimack River. The more I learn, the more I want to know. The more I know, the more I want to share with others. I love being a docent ~ sharing and hearing stories with visitors.
Being a docent at the Custom House Maritime Museum is perfect for a person like me. I don’t want to be selfish, however, and keep this delightful experience among the handful of docents who already are committed to the museum. It is time to share the joy.
So, I am on a quest to seek like-minded persons who might be willing to explore the waters of learning and sharing with others. My quest has led me to make contact with our local senior centers, hoping to get a presence there to present the program and invite attendees.
In March, I had a meeting with College and Career Counselor at Newburyport High School to discuss High School student internships hopefully starting this summer. The museum will be represented on Wednesday, April 13th at an Internship and Career Fair sponsored by the school. I am in touch with a US Coast Guard contact posing the idea of having scheduled tours of our Coast Guard room given by our local active “Coasties.”
How about you, the reader, will you support me on my quest? Are you interested in learning what we have in the museum and then willing to share it with others? Maybe you might be willing to be present at the museum during a few open hours to guide and monitor visitors as they do a self-tour. Perhaps you are more of a “think-tank” person and wish to share ideas with me. The possibilities for active involvement as a volunteer at the museum are endless.
Don Roberts, CHMM Docent
Please contact Marylyn Roberts, mroberts@chmm.org, to explore the possibilities.