Docent Council
The Nevada Historical Society is very proud to celebrate our volunteers. April 2022 marked the 40th Anniversary of the Nevada Historical Society Docent Council.
“We simply couldn’t operate without them. They have so much knowledge, so much enthusiasm about Nevada history, it’s inspiring to be around them.” Dr. Catherine Magee, NHS Director
Fun fact: our volunteers volunteer an average of 9,000 to 10,000 hours per year!
Questions? Contact:
Kristina Hornback
Curator of Education
775-688-1190 ext. 224
Nevada Historical Society Docent Council
The Docent Council is an educational organization that supports the mission and activities of the Nevada Historical Society. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer program and would like to donate your time, there are training classes in the spring and fall of each year.
What is a docent?
Have you ever been to a museum, art gallery, historical monument, or similar area where a knowledgeable guide led you through the exhibits and explained the displays? More than likely, this guide was a trained volunteer called a docent. The term docent derives from the Latin verb docere, meaning “to teach.” Docents at the Nevada Historical Society help visitors appreciate the collections by leading adult and school groups through the museum.
The docents are also active in a variety of other services to support and promote the Nevada Historical Society. Docents work on projects in the Research Library, the museum store, the outreach program, and the library, photograph, and manuscript collections.
Who are Docent Council members?
The Docent Council’s membership includes all ages—from 21 to well over 80 years. Though their backgrounds differ, the docents have a common interest—a love of Nevada and a desire to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others.
The docents continue to increase their knowledge through lecture programs presented at their business meetings held the first Thursday of each month. The DC Bee is the monthly newsletter for the organization. Special events and field-study trips add to the enjoyment and pride in being a volunteer in this organization.
Docent Council Annual Award Recognition
Each year in April the docent council recognizes those members who have contributed to the NHS in special ways, either through length of time served or through particular programs and projects, at the Marjorie Fordham Luncheon. This event was initiated as a sort of memorial to a highly dedicated Docent Council member, MARJORIE FORDHAM, who died in 1988, at the age of 76.
Those members who were fortunate enough to know Marjorie remember her as a generous, kind, quiet person. Her small stature belied the total control which she wielded over even large groups of children. They were spellbound by her considerable knowledge and skill in helping them learn about Nevada history.