Museum Gift Shop  Working in the gift shop is an interesting and rewarding experience. The hours are flexible so it is easy to fit volunteer work into a busy schedule.  When you become familiar with the stock, you can concentrate on welcoming the many different visitors that pass through the shop.  Most individuals like to browse. You help them in whatever way possible by assisting with sizes and prices. 

Many interesting people from around the country and from other countries come to see NIAGARA, and talking with them and hearing their stories make volunteering worth while. In addition, the hours you put in help the Flagship Niagara League to maintain a ship which is a vital part of history, and a museum which preserves our maritime history.

Ship Maintenance  As one can expect there is a lot of ongoing maintenance needed to keep NIAGARA in ship-shape condition. While NIAGARA is sailing the crew maintains the ship. When she is berthed for the winter, maintenance is done by the professional crew still on staff and a core of volunteers who work with the professionals. These maintenance volunteers earn credit to be used toward tuition to sail on the ship as a trainee during the summer. Each hour of service donated toward maintaining the ship is valued at $12.00 credit toward tuition for one of our sailing programs. While maintenance is a top priority, time is allocated for informational sessions on such subjects as marlinspike seamanship, rigging, painting and splicing etc.  One thing is for certain, there is always something to do and something going on down at the NIAGARA site!

Historic Interpreters As you step on the deck of U.S. Brig Niagara, you step 175 years back in time. As a volunteer guide for the Niagara League, you bring history alive for the visitors. Besides knowing the details of the Battle of Lake Erie and the War of 1812, the guides also come to learn about life in early 19th century and the general principles of sailing. Every time you go aboard you will learn something more about naval history and the art of sailing.

Museum Docents (Guides)  Erie Maritime Museum Docents are a special breed of people; they are our teachers. These knowledgeable individuals are here to interpret the museum's collections for our visitors.  They also lead organize tour groups ranging form grade school to senior groups though the museum and aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara.

But the best part of volunteering your time to the Flagship Niagara League is meeting new people. Often you can learn as much from visitors and other guides as they can from you.