If you enjoy history and want to help make a great museum even better, please complete the application to be a Teen Volunteer or an Adult Volunteer at the Hamilton Museum. Send your filled out form to info@woodtype.org or drop off during Museum hours. Upon receiving your application, our volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you to schedule a brief interview.

You are also welcome to contact us at info@woodtype.org or call (920) 794-6272. Thank you for your interest!

Volunteer Opportunities at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum

Hamilton Volunteers are essential for the museum to effectively share our love of letterpress and printing history. We are always seeking enthusiastic and talented people to help with a broad range of museum activities, working behind the scenes, engaging with visitors, and helping with special events. Explore the many opportunities and decide what appeals to you!

Engage with Museum Visitors

Interact with people to share your passion for learning and for the museum with Hamilton visitors.

Docent, Group & Tour Facilitator
Give guided tours for museum visitors and groups

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Good communication and presentation skills.
2) Ability to work for 1 1/2 hours.
3) Availability to volunteer on a regular basis.
4) Successfully complete training and practice sessions.

Educational Workshops & Programs
Assist program staff to prepare classroom for students, assist with clean up during and after workshops, assist program staff with letterpress printing and/or bookmaking workshops as skill sets allow.

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Organizational skills.
2) Willingness to get dirty.
3) Availability to volunteer on a regular basis.
4) Ability to positively engage museum visitors.

Front Desk
Welcome visitors, perform administrative tasks, and answer phones

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Reception skills (phone, note-taking).
2) Excellent interpersonal skills.
3) Customer service skills.
4) Ability to volunteer on a regular basis.

Retail Sales and Admissions
Welcome visitors to the museum, handle retail sales, assist museum staff with setup for special events, welcome and check-in. Distribute flyers and other marketing materials.

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Cashier experience.
2) Visitor reception experience.
3) Ability to volunteer on a regular basis. 

Contribute Behind the Scenes

Hamilton volunteers can serve in many important, non-public roles at the museum. Join our staff in caring for collections, program administration, pressroom and workshop area cleaning and maintenance, facility work and other critical functions.

Collection Assistant
Assist with artifact archiving, cleaning wood type and other artifacts, sorting artifacts for displaying and returning to storage.

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Cataloging and filing.
2) Good eye/hand coordination.
3) Attention to detail.

Pressroom
Assist in the Pressroom cleaning type, printing presses and work areas, sorting and putting away wood type

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Willingness to get dirty.
2) Ability to work around antique machinery and delicate artifacts.
3) Attention to detail and process.

Library
Sorting and shelving books

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Filing.
2) Completion of training for handling artifacts and paper records.

Facility Upkeep and Improvement
Painting, cleaning, and building maintenance

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Knowledge and experience using basic tools.
2) Commitment to completing projects.
3) Attention to safe practices and comfort working in public spaces.

Wood Shop Assistance
Maintain Woodshop, sort materials, clean up and prep

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Organizational skills.
2) Knowledge of basic tools.

Short-Term/Seasonal

The museum needs help with special events, exhibit openings and our Wayzgoose conference.

Exhibit Openings
Gallery prep: tables and food for exhibit openings, distribute promotional flyers, welcome attendees and answer questions

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Customer service skills.
2) Ability to work in a team environment.

Museum Open House
Welcome and engage visitors to the event, set up and clean up: arrange tables, chairs etc, pick up food for the event,

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Customer service skills.
2) Ability to work in a team environment.

Wayzgoose Conference
Assist with set up and take down for an international conference held at the museum facility with 250 attendees, prepare conference materials and "swag" bags. Welcome guests, provide green room help for presenters.

Skills/Qualifications Needed:
1) Customer service skills.
2) Ability to work in a team environment.

Hamilton volunteers enjoy several benefits and privileges such as free memberships, invitations to gallery openings, store discounts, and volunteer-only events.

Meet our Volunteers

We couldn't do it without them - this astounding list of volunteers keeps the Hamilton Museum in order in so many ways. From sharing their creative skills and lending muscles to being gregarious docents and exemplary customer service gurus, the Hamilton volunteers are the "cream of the crop!" We are so lucky and so thankful to have such committed volunteers - and we sincerely thank them all for their service.

Ben Jordan has been a museum friend for a number of years – having attended numerous workshops, visiting the exhibitions and generally hanging out at his favorite place. It was no surprise to learn he wanted to "be able to help out the museum any way" that he can. Ben does just that. He's here on his scheduled days and proceeds to take on any project like he owns it. He’s also a fine Hamilton model, though he excels at photography too and now manages most of the Hamilton Dry Goods store photography.

Dennis Ewert, a former science teacher, enjoys history so much he eagerly awaits visitors on the days he volunteers so that he can share his newfound knowledge of Hamilton. He is superbly curious and creative – and is typically off seeking learning opportunities and new hobbies when not absorbed in his kaleidoscope creations, stamp collecting, bead making or one of his other many artistic “projects” that often include folk art schools and workshops.

Eileen Madden owned a letterpress shop near Chicago until 2019. She’s been coming to Two Rivers and Hamilton since 2006. Eileen is on the board of Artists Book House in Chicago, and the chair of the Caxton Club of Chicago’s grant program. All of these organizations share a love of the printed word, and Eileen is happy to be able to spend time with Hamilton’s glorious collection and the people who work with it. She is primarily working on organizing the museum’s print archive, but also enjoys helping out with museum tours and workshops.

Gary Webers has been involved in printing for many years. Before earning an engineering degree, he worked as a Field Service Rep for Zerand Corporation, a producer of rotogravure printing and cutting equipment for the folding carton industry, and later worked at Quad Graphics in an engineering capacity. In 1987, he started GMK Graphics, a letterpress shop as a side business; producing commercial and wedding work. At Hamilton, Gary runs our platen presses on various printing projects, and is working on organization and documentation of the type library.

Judy Corrado was a Head Start teacher (pre-school) before retirement (those lucky children to have Judy in charge – she has the gentle demeanor of an angel). Now she considers herself a full-time volunteer. In addition to assisting any time she’s needed at the Hamilton Museum, Judy donates her time and talent to the Rahr West Museum in Manitowoc plus she coordinates the local volunteers who plant stunning flower beds along the Mariners Trail (the walk/bike trail from Manitowoc to Two Rivers). “I am so proud of all we have to offer in this community and love sharing it with others.”

Larry Corrado is a former professor of physics and computer science. He is an avid graphic design and typography hobbyist and can often be found exploring new possibilities in printing right here in our pressroom. He masters the organization of upcoming workshops and has never declined an invitation to work on a new project. His alphabet postcards (available in our gift shop) have been a great hit for customers. Larry is Judy’s other half and has been for a little over 50 years.

Lee Gauthier was a Hamilton employee for more than 39 years, mostly in the wood plant. When asked about his woodworking skills (this guy has built some beautiful cabinets for his home), Lee said he “learned from the old-timers – when projects were worked on from start-to-finish. Back in the day before technology was implemented, and everything was done by hand.” These skills are now applied to numerous and varied projects at the museum, lucky us!

Marcia Brice was a designer and art director with various Chicago studios. She also taught at The American Academy of Art in Chicago and Columbia College. Marcia helps the museum on weekends and at many of our special events including gallery openings and open houses. She's an amazing head-counter, friendly greeter and reception planner who prepares luscious appetizers that are just as beautiful. Marcia is superbly talented, creates beautiful art, and while volunteering she entertains us with her delightful sense of humor.

Mary Beth Klatt lives in Milwaukee where she works with letter press as a hobby at Bay View Printing. Typewriters are another interest of hers, and she hosts occasional “type ins” with her friends. Her goals as a volunteer are to engage in sharing and learning with the public, which she does as a Saturday docent. She is a highly motivated and multitalented person who loves letter press, writing and customer service.

Rainer Fleshner now makes his home in Kaukauna with his wife, Linda. Rainer is a former teacher, having led classes at Central Michigan University and Electronic Prepress at Moraine Park Technical College. He now does an amazing, professional job of managing photography of our extensive Enquirer Collection. Rainer successfully completed a very long-term project that required photographing all the museum’s wood type patterns in addition to printing items for research. He is impressively diligent and fastidious.

Sally Carson is a graphic designer who has launched her own business at home from her studio in Sheboygan, WI. Her focus is on “working with small businesses that need full branding. I enjoy helping people find their voice and vision and setting themselves apart from their competitors.” Sally’s affirmation is indicative of the volunteer work she does for the museum – from coordinating online items to printing to upholstery repair – she does it with finesse.

Shann Stephani is a graphic designer who lends her wonderful creativity to the museum when she isn't out searching a new adventure. She is a world class customer service rep who can operate a cash register with her eyes closed and a skilled printer who is willing to tackle literally any project we introduce her to. She has never turned down a challenge, and we are impressed with every project – but then, Shann excels at everything she touches, and with panache.

Tony Stadler is currently working as a Chemical Manufacturer. He has experience with printing through delivering the Orange County Register in CA as a teenager and a couple of years bundle hauling the daily print to the Kenosha News morning paper carriers. His wife Beth has a Fine Arts degree specializing in intaglio printmaking, and she shares her knowledge and experiences with him. Tony hopes to be a beneficial asset to the Hamilton Museum working with the Master Printers.