Applications are now being accepted for this year’s docent class at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum.
Docents are retired professionals who take classes about the history of San Joaquin County at the museum and then volunteer to help with the museum’s different programs, lead the museum’s tours and do research for the museum’s archives, according to Carole Pinnel, the Director of Education at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum.
“Some of them are lawyers or doctors. Many of them were teachers, and some, you know, just are interested in the history of San Joaquin County,” said Pinnel.
The first of the twelve classes will be held on September 16 at Micke Grove Park in Lodi. The classes will be taught by experienced docent graduates.
Attendees will learn about San Joaquin County’s past, the museum’s history and education programs and how to give guided tours of the museum. They will also get hands-on experience in ropemaking, blacksmithing, gold panning, and corn-husk doll making.
“Becoming a docent at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum … It is an immersion into the rich history of our county,” said Jack Jacobs, a San Joaquin Historical Museum docent. “As a docent, I get to share that heritage with our museum visitors.”
The San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum reveals the rich history of the county, its people and the development of modern agriculture in the area. It has eight exhibit buildings and four historic buildings over its expansive 18-acre grounds.
Naomi Jordan is serving a summer internship with Stocktonia. She attends Arizona State University.