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
Student Internship Opportunities Available for Summer 2026
Looking for a rewarding educational experience this summer? HAHS is seeking undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in local history for our 2026 internship program. Applications are still being accepted for internships to begin around June 1. For more information contact Terri Altland at [email protected] or call 717-632-3207.
2026 Internship Descriptions and Application Process– deadline extended!
Volunteer With HAHS! 
The Hanover Area Historical Society has a number of 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
YES! We know that stepping into a volunteer role may be daunting at first. Fill out the contact us form above and we’ll be in contact with you to discuss the orientation process, the time commitment and your goals for volunteering with us. If you choose an area and it turns out its not for you- no problem! We’ll work with you to find a volunteer role that you will love.
Our volunteers must be current members of the Hanover Area Historical Society. However, in cases of large special events and for community service projects for students, the membership requirement is waived. We don’t want cost of membership to be a barrier for participation. If this is a concern, please contact us to discuss.
We provide all of the necessary training for you to be a docent in the Mansion, Neas House and Museum. You will have opportunities to shadow and learn from other docents and will give tours and presentations only when you feel confident to do so. We are just looking for enthusiastic individuals willing to share our history with others!
YES! We recognize our volunteers have other commitments. We appreciate whatever time you are able to give and will work to respect your availability.
We love to have kids and families volunteer with us. It’s a great way to teach the next generation about the importance of preserving our local history. Children as young as 12 can help- let’s discuss the options available!
Current Opportunities
Docents
WHEN:
- Wednesdays
- Saturdays
- Other dates as needed
(No tours January – March)
DESCRIPTION:
- Provide guides for tours of the Warehime-Myers Mansion and/or Neas House
- Staff the Christmas Tree Tours
OTHER INFO:
- No history experience needed
- 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:
- Mondays, Wednesdays and/or Fridays, 10 am – 2 pm
- 3rd Monday 6pm-8pm
- Other times by appointment
DESCRIPTION:
- Organizing
- Assisting visitors with research
- Shelving/Re-Shelving
- Preservation of materials and to conduct research
Marketing
WHEN:
As needed committee meets the 1st Monday of every month at noon.
DESCRIPTION:
- Promotes the Society through various forms of media and assists other committees in promoting their activities
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 sessions: Mondays, 9 am – 12 pm on 2nd floor of the Hormel History and Research Center (Guthrie Memorial Library)
- Other dates as needed
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
- Help maintain the History Museum: staffing it as needed, some cleaning and updating permanent exhibits or preparing rotating exhibits
OTHER INFO:
- Elevator to 2nd floor available
- Experience with PastPerfect software useful, but not required
- Information and training is provided
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: 2nd 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!
