02
September
2026
Storytime with the Museum
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Because the best museums are shaped by the people around them.
Become a volunteer and help bring our exhibits, programs, and events to life.
Support the museum’s mission with a gift that keeps history accessible to everyone.
Join a community of supporters who help keep the museum thriving all year long.
The Gaston County Museum isn’t just a place to visit, it’s a place to be part of. Whether you’ve got an afternoon to spare or a lifelong passion for history and art, there’s a role here for you.
Volunteers keep our galleries running and our programs thriving, while interns get hands-on experience in museum education, collections, and curation. Teachers and educators bring their classrooms through our doors for field trips that turn textbooks into real, tangible history. Donors and members make sure all of this stays free and accessible to everyone in Gaston County, no matter their background.
Our calendar is always full of events worth showing up for, and our staff is always glad to hear from anyone looking to connect. However you choose to get involved, you’re helping keep this museum a place the whole community can call its own.
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this museum, lending their time and talents to everything from gallery tours to special events. Whether you’re looking for a few hours a month or a more regular commitment, there’s a place for you here.
*Teens are encouraged to apply via the dedicated ‘VolunTeen’ Section Below.
Volunteer Job Title: Collections Volunteer
Reports to: Collections Manager, Shannon White
Job Location: Mary Anne Nelson Center (Museum’s Collection and Archives Facility)
Time Commitment: Once a week for 2-3 hours
The Gaston County Museum’s collection department is responsible for the oversight, management and tracking of all collections at the museum, both permanent and on loan. We currently have approximately 83,000 objects in the collection. We also accept several new acquisitions every year in order to tell a comprehensive story of all the people in Gaston County.
Collections volunteers are essential in managing these collections. Projects can include inventory of collections, cataloging of collections, filling out condition report worksheets, photographing collections, researching provenance and creator information, database cleanup and standardization as well as management of the paper records. Collection volunteers will also assist in museum gallery maintenance.
Qualifications: Well organized, conscientious, detail oriented, and comfortable working independently.
Volunteer Job Title: Curatorial Volunteer
Reports to: Curator, Alicyn Wiedrich
Job Location: Gaston County Museum of Art and History
Time Commitment: As needed basis
The Gaston County Museum’s curatorial department is responsible for the creation and installation of exhibitions. Within the Museum, there are two short-term temporary gallery spaces that rotate exhibits every six months and one long-term temporary that changes exhibit every year and a half. Through these exhibits, the stories of Gaston County and its residents are told.
Curatorial volunteers are essential in assisting in the changing of exhibits, assisting with the building of exhibit pieces, woodworking, painting walls, installation exhibit pieces under the supervision of the Curator, and organizing and cleaning stands and plexiglass uses in gallery spaces.
This position does not have regular hours but is needed on an on-call basis.
Qualifications: Able to lift heavy objects (50+ pounds) and stand for long periods of time, comfortable climbing ladders and using tools (including power tools).
Volunteer Job Title: Education Volunteer
Reports to: Community Engagement Manager, Alexander Brooks
Time Commitment: Time commitment depends on how many programs are scheduled.
School Tours and Programming: Weekday mornings as needed
Public events: Weekends and evenings as needed
The Gaston County Museum’s Education Department is responsible for the Museum’s educational offerings and community outreach. Throughout the year, the Museum coordinates with local schoolteachers and educators, with the Museum’s programming being free for all Gaston County Public Schools. The Department aims to provide quality educational opportunities and community events for the region that promote the learning of county and regional history and culture.
The Education Volunteer assists the Museum’s Education Manager or Programs Assistant with Museum programs and events. Volunteers can assist with school programs, museum tours, and community events organized by the Museum and community events the Museum participates in. Volunteers may create exhibit-based activities for Museum visitor use, such as scavenger hunts or exhibit related activities that are made available to visitors at the front desk.
Qualifications: Adaptability, creativity, public speaking, time management, well organized.
Job Title: Front of House Volunteer
Reports to: Community Engagement Manager, Alexander Brooks
Job Location: Gaston County Museum of Art and History
Time Commitment: Saturdays, 11am-4pm
The Front of House Volunteer provides customer service at the Museum’s front desk and assists in the running of the gift shop. This position plays a crucial role in the public’s first impression of the Museum.
The Front of House Volunteer assists with overseeing the front desk, providing exceptional customer service to all museum visitors. Typical duties include greeting visitors and answering questions in person and over the phone, operating the gift shop cash register, and inventorying gift shop items.
Qualifications: Customer service, comfortable working independently, detail oriented.
Job Shadow Volunteers / “VolunTeens” represent an intrinsic part of the Gaston County Museum of Art & History’s mission to provide structured learning opportunities in the arts and culture, particularly to emerging professionals.
Job shadowing, dependent on availability and interest, can be as varied as programming assistance, collections care, exhibit preparation and development cultivation and all job shadow contributions are valued.
Discover history and the arts through interactive, interdisciplinary programming!
The Gaston County Museum is dedicated to finding ways that engage educators and students inside and outside of the classroom. Contact Community Engagement Manager Alex Brooks to find out what the Gaston County Museum has to offer.
Contact Alex Brooks:
Alexander.Brooks@GastonGov.com
(704) 922-7681 Ext 5
We have an incredible assortment of targeted Field Trip options for you and your class. You can visit us on-site, or request an “Outreach” Style field trip.
Museum or Loray Mill / Kessler Center field trips are FREE and available throughout the school year for Gaston County Public Schools.
Advance reservations are required for all school groups that wish to visit the Museum. Booking multiple programs on the same day will have a $2 charge per student.
For students outside of Gaston County Public Schools, all programs listed will cost $5 per student.
Want to schedule / ask questions about your field trip?
Contact Alex Brooks:
Alexander.Brooks@GastonGov.com
(704) 922-7681 Ext 5
Field Trip FAQs
Museum visits will consist of a general tour of the museum, including all exhibits and our feature exhibits. Additional interactive activities can be added on.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, we can only accomodate up to 80 students at one time. Larger groups may have to be scheduled on seperate days or times.
We do have an outdoor space available for groups to utilize for lunch.
Field trips for Gaston County Public Schools are FREE. All other schools, including homeschool, are $5 per child.
Buses are welcome to park either on the street, in front of the Museum, or in the back of the Museum, in the Carriage House parking lot.
Bring our museum education into your classroom! We have dedicated curriculum for every age level. Pre-packaged hand-outs, slides, lesson ideas, and more…all ready to serve you and your students.
Want more info?
Contact Alex Brooks:
Alexander.Brooks@GastonGov.com
(704) 922-7681 Ext 5
Want to visit our museum as part of your Homeschool Education? We can tailor your experience to fit any grade level, or multiple age groups in the same visit.
Want more info?
Contact Alex Brooks:
Alexander.Brooks@GastonGov.com
(704) 922-7681 Ext 5
It is so important to us to serve all students. We’re ready to provide an incredible experience and educational environment for any ability or need.
Want more info?
Contact Alex Brooks:
Alexander.Brooks@GastonGov.com
(704) 922-7681 Ext 5
Need help planning your education plan/visit, please contact Alex Brooks.
There’s always something happening at the museum, from special exhibit openings to community programs and hands on activities for all ages. Take a look at what’s coming up and find your next reason to visit.
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Anne Biggers Furr Learning Station
205 W. Main St, Dallas, NC 28021
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Alfred C. Kessell Center, Loray Mill
300 S. Firestone St, Gastonia, NC 28052
Anne Biggers Furr Learning Station
205 W. Main St, Dallas, NC 28021
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Dallas Historic Town Square
131 N Gaston St, Dallas, NC 28034
Dallas Historic Town Square
131 N Gaston St, Dallas, NC 28034
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
Gaston County Museum
131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034
