Docent Training Class - Historic Houses
Beginning March 2
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Do you love old houses, local history and talking with people? The Center for History is accepting registrations for those interested in giving guided tours of the museum’s two historic houses, Copshaholm and the Worker’s Home. A new class of docents is being formed to begin a seven-week training session taking place weekly from 9 to 11 a.m. starting Tuesday, March 2. Training sessions are offered twice yearly. In-depth information about the architecture and furnishings of Copshaholm, as well as the Oliver family, Oliver Chilled Plow works, historic businesses, and the Historic West Washington District is provided as part of the classes. The museum offers 90-minute tours of its historic houses daily for visitors and school groups. Docents can volunteer on a regular or as-needed basis. In addition to the training course, Center for History volunteers receive complimentary continuing education, invitations to visit historic sites in the community, and opportunities to meet new friends who share common interests in local history. Tremendous work is accomplished by volunteers at the Center for History, and an added benefit is the friendships formed with staff and other volunteers. Copshaholm, an exquisite 38-room mansion located on the corner of Washington and Chapin Streets, was home to the J. D. Oliver family, owners of the largest plow factory in the world, the Oliver Chilled Plow Works. The family moved in on January 1, 1897, and lived there for 75 years. Now, as a house museum with all furnishings original to the home, Copshaholm can be seen as it looked when the family lived there. To register or for more information, contact Deb Neumann, Volunteer Coordinator, at (574) 235-9664, ext. 264 or through our email contact form here.
