Lorton Prison Museum Docent

WHAT IS THE LORTON PRISON MUSEUM?

The Lorton Prison Museum featuring the Lucy Burns Gallery is the history museum for the Workhouse Arts Center - the former site of the Lorton Correctional Complex (or the DC Prison). LBM tells the 91 year history of the prison site, with a special focus on the Women's Suffrage Movement - as the original prison, the Occoquan Workhouse, held over 70 of the suffragists who picketed the White House in 1917. LBM has galleries dedicated to the Suffrage Movement and general prison history, along with a preserved cellblock. Learn more at www.workhousearts.org/lorton-prison-museum

WHAT IS A DOCENT?

Docents are volunteers who provide educational services for the museum visitor and are sometimes called tour guides, interpreters, and volunteer educators. The role of a docent is three-fold:

1. They serve as hosts, to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases they are the museum’s “front-line” or main human representatives.
2. They serve as interpreters of the museum’s galleries, helping to give the visitor a deeper understanding and appreciation of the exhibitions.
3. Docents also assist in safeguarding the collection by a watchful presence in exhibition areas.

The interpretive or educational role of the docent is the most important and challenging aspect of the job. To be effective, a docent cannot just lecture at an audience. Docents must strive to actively involve visitors in the interpretation, giving them the tools of visual literacy. Docents should provide a broader understanding of an exhibition’s concepts and provide a context for the collections with which they are working. Docents should strive for objectivity. In their role as interpreter a docent must be careful not to force value judgment or opinions on a visitor. In addition, a docent must be sensitive to visitors’ differences – learning style, cultural backgrounds, age level, and special needs.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DOCENT?

1. A sincere and genuine interest in people of all ages.
2. A love for and excitement about learning and teaching.
3. Attention to detail and accuracy.
4. A sense of flexibility and cooperation.
5. An attitude of tolerance and respect for all people’s points of view.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMMITMENTS

All docents will receive training from museum staff and current docents. After completing training, docents are expected to commit to volunteering at the Museum for two years (or longer), and to volunteer for at least two museum shifts per month (2-4 hours shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Periodically throughout the year, docent meetings, trainings, and activities will be scheduled, and docents are expected to attend as many as possible. New docents do not have to have a museum or history background to apply. A genuine interest in the history LPM, a willingness to learn, and an interest in engaging the public is a must!

APPLY

If you are interested in being a Lorton Prison Museum docent, please sent a brief letter of intent, describing why you are interested and your background to the museum at museum@workhousearts.org. We look forward to working with you.