Needs From: United Way of Venango and Titusville Region

We are seeking someone passionate about history, preservation, and music to assist the museum in the organization of our archives. The museum holds a variety of archival documents that are currently spread out through the building. These documents need to be researched, photographed, digitized if possible, and catalogued. We can teach you the specifics of what needs done but you can provide the passion and interest! This work would be perfect for anyone looking for experience before a degree or position in the history, cultural heritage, or museum fields. You will be working under the supervision of a qualified museum professional and therefore will not need to be an expert.

We are seeking someone passionate about history, preservation, and music to assist the museum in an oral history project. The museum recently turned 30 and as part of this effort we would like to preserve the stories of the last 30 years through the compilation of an oral history. We are seeking someone passionate about the history of our community to speak to museum stakeholders about their experiences and record their memories for preservation within the museum. 

We can teach you the specifics of what needs done but you can provide the passion and interest! This position would be perfect for someone interested in building connections within the community!

We are seeking someone passionate about history, preservation, and music to assist the museum in an inventory of our musical media. The museum holds a significant collection of records, piano rolls, cassettes, 8 track tapes, music discs, roller organ cobs, Edison cylinders, reel to reel tapes, CDs, and many more, that need a complete inventory. We can teach you the specifics of what needs done but you can provide the passion and interest! This work would be perfect for anyone with an interest in music technology, audio engineering, and history. 

We are looking for someone to help us maintain, expand and improve our social media presence. Ideally we would like someone who can take over the museum Facebook page and post educational information, concert and event announcements, and other content. We are open to suggestions for the improvement of our social media and digital presence. If you enjoy social media and think you could help us please reach out!

Many of the products in our museum gift shop are hand made by our volunteers. We would love to have more creative folks who are interested in coming up with new ideas or help us stock our existing inventory! We hand make all different kinds of musically related gifts such as record bowls, record wind chimes and mobiles, harmonica necklaces, sheet music flowers, potholders, and bags. Reach out if you have an idea, a skill, or a talent you would like to contribute to our mission of music preservation!

The museum is currently under-going a clean out/re-organization and we would love help with getting our office records under control, digitized, and organized in a way that we can easily retrieve anything that we need. If you are an organized person and music history interests you please reach out!

We are seeking someone passionate about history, preservation, and music to assist the museum in a collections assessment. The museum collections software need to be updated with accurate data regarding all objects in the museum. In addition, we need someone willing to do research on objects in the collection, take pictures, and digitize deeds of gift into the collections software. We can teach you the specifics of what needs done but you can provide the passion and interest! This work would be perfect for anyone looking for experience before a degree or position in the history, cultural heritage, or museum fields. You will be working under the supervision of a qualified museum professional and therefore will not need to be an expert. 

The museum at one point had a fully functioning wood shop for the maintenance and repair of our machines. It has fallen into disrepair and we could use assistance in bringing it back to life. If you are a woodworker and have experience with a lathe, drill press, band saw, belt sander, and others, we would love to have your knowledge! 

The DeBence Museum's best feature is our fantastic collection of historic musical machines. However a collection of mechanical objects requires frequent maintenance and repair. If you are a tinker or a handy person please reach out. The work you do will directly contribute to the preservation of musical heritage for many generations to come. 

We are looking for friendly folks who love music and appreciate history and antiques.

Throughout the open season, we are in need of volunteers who give tours of our historic, musical collection.  Tour Guides assemble guests and walk them through the main-body of the museum, telling the history and operating the many antique mechanical and electronic machines.  We intend each tour to be a real "see and hear" experience for all.

Tours typically last for one hour, although times may vary based on the daily schedule of the Museum.  Some tours are scheduled; others are walk-ins.  It is the Tour Guide's responsibility to be always available when the occasion arises to give a tour.

If you have been to the Museum or have never visited, we will work with you and train you to be an expert.  This is a fantastic educational opportunity.

Many volunteer opportunities will be available throughout our open season of April-October, 2021.  If you are interested in volunteering but do not see a shift that meets you schedule, please contact us.  We can work with most any time commitment. 

We are looking for friendly folks who love music and appreciate history and antiques.

Throughout the open season, we are in need of volunteers who help run the front end of the Museum.  Volunteers will primarily sit at the front desk, greet visitors, occasionally answer the phone, assist with giftshop sales and sell tickets for tours that day.

Many volunteer opportunities will be available throughout our open season of April-October, 2021.  If you are interested in volunteering but do not see a shift that meets you schedule, please contact us.  We can work with whatever availability you have.