Get Involved
Join or Renew Your Membership Today
The HAHS is a membership-based organization. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization. Click here for a printable membership brochure with more information. Complete and mail the membership form to: Hanover Area Historical Society | P.O. Box 305 | Hanover, PA 17331
– or – sign up ONLINE
Volunteer Opportunities
The Hanover Area Historical Society has a number of standing committees, ad hoc committees and other opportunities to volunteer to support the organization and our community. Volunteers must be HAHS members.
Already a member and want to volunteer? Use the Contact form to tell us how you can help!
Standing Committees
Docents
WHEN:
- Wednesdays, 10 am.-3 pm
- Saturdays, 12-3 pm
- Other dates as needed
(No tours January – March)
DESCRIPTION:
- Provide guides for tours of the Warehime-Myers Mansion and Neas House
- Staff the Christmas Tree Tours
OTHER INFO:
- Information is provided to all docents
- New docents have the opportunity to shadow more experienced docents
Facilities
WHEN:
- As needed for ongoing maintenance
- November – set up for Christmas Tree Tours
- January – breakdown Christmas trees/ decorations
DESCRIPTION:
- Maintain the Neas House, Warehime-Myers Mansion and the History Museum located in the Mansion’s Carriage House
Garden
WHEN:
- Spring – Fall: Monday evenings
- On your own schedule
DESCRIPTION:
- Weeding, watering, planting annuals and generally making the lawn look good at both the Mansion and the Neas House
Library
WHEN:
- Check back for new hours when the library re-opens in its new space
- Monday – Friday depending on the availability of a senior person
DESCRIPTION:
- Specialized clerical tasks, preservation of materials and to conduct research
Marketing
WHEN:
- 1st Mondays at 11:30 am
DESCRIPTION:
- Promotes the Society through various forms of media and assists other committees in promoting their activities
OTHER INFO:
- Occasional grant writing
Membership
WHEN:
- 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm
- Other scheduled work sessions as needed
DESCRIPTION:
- Informs the membership of renewal/expiration dates and levels of membership
- Processes new memberships
- Initiates the annual appeal drive
OTHER INFO:
- Compose or update letters/forms
- Prepare for mailing
- Process and acknowledge new/renewed memberships
Museum
WHEN:
- Work session: Mondays, 9 am – 12 pm on 3rd floor of Mansion
- Tours: Wednesdays, 10 am-3 pm
- Tours: Saturdays, 12-3 pm
- Other dates as needed
(No tours January – March)
DESCRIPTION:
- Identify, acquire, accession and process objects, artifacts and photographs that were made or used in and/or that display the historical significance of Hanover
- Manage/maintain the History Museum: staffing it during tour hours, routine cleaning and updating permanent exhibits or preparing rotating exhibits
OTHER INFO:
- No elevator to 3rd floor
- Experience with PastPerfect software useful, but not required
- Information is provided to all Museum greeters
- New greeters have the opportunity to shadow more experienced greeters
Program
WHEN:
- As needed for events
DESCRIPTION:
- Coordinate community events for the Society that bring public awareness of Hanover’s history and the positive impact of the Society: includes lectures, lawn concerts and more.
- Staff the activities and help with set-up and breakdown of chairs, tents, etc.
Travel
WHEN:
- 1st Mondays at 7:00 pm via Zoom
- Volunteers needed on the tour buses to serve as tour captains or assistants to the captain
DESCRIPTION:
- Provide educational, cultural, historical and social opportunities for HAHS members and the community at large via coach tours to diverse destinations
- Offer 4-5 tours per year
Other Ways to Support HAHS
Give local York
WHEN:
- 1st Friday of May and leading up to that date
DESCRIPTION:
- Generate ideas on how to raise more money and for content ideas on the GLY site
- Help with mailings to membership and other promotional activities
OTHER INFO:
- GLY is a significant revenue source for HAHS
Media
Newsletter:
When: Bi-monthly
Description:
– Obtain sponsors
– Backup for the compilation and mailing of the newsletter
Other Info: Publisher experience a plus but not required
Social Media:
When: Ongoing
Description: Backup lead volunteers
Other Info: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube
Website:
When: Ongoing
Description: Take lead as webmaster or backup the current webmaster
Other Info: WordPress experience needed
Neas House Textile Team
WHEN:
- Work session: Thursdays, 9am – 12 pm
- Open Houses: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 12-3 pm or by appointment
(Closed January-March)
DESCRIPTION:
- Organize, catalog, photograph and conserve textile items stored at the Neas House
- Showcase these items of historical significance
- Display them at regular exhibits/open houses of the Neas House
OTHER INFO:
- When this team is working on HAHS’ textile collection, they are acting as a sub committee of the Museum Committee. Other activities fall under other standing committees as appropriate.
Snack Town Street Fair
WHEN:
- 3rd Saturday in July, 8 am – 4 pm
- Leading up to the event
- Load truck the day before
DESCRIPTION:
- Help plan booth activities
- Load/unload truck & set-up/breakdown booth
- Staff booth in 2-hour shifts in teams of at least two people
- Help recruit booth volunteers
DESCRIPTION:
- HAHS has a booth at this annual community event: promote HAHS, hand out literature, sell merchandise; Neas House is open from 9 am-3 pm
Special Events
WHEN:
- Varies
DESCRIPTION:
- Assist at special events with crowd control, parking, set-up/breakdown or as needed
Other Info:
- Examples: Easter Egg Hunt, Lawn Concerts, Christmas Teas
Specialized Opportunities to Volunteer
Please use the Contact Us form if you have specialized skills you can offer, e.g., grant writing, sustainability/development experience, graphic design, guest lecturer, youth leader.
Volunteer Photo Gallery
HAHS Has a Variety of Ways to Volunteer
Be a docent, pull weeds with the Garden Committee, volunteer at Hanover’s annual street festival, help in the Library… just a few examples. Here are some shots of volunteers over the years!
