Volunteers Make Museums Possible - with Alex Johnson

February 29, 2020

}

In 2019, Independent Sector valued the average worth of a volunteer’s hour to be $25.43. Without the skills, dedication, and hours worked of over 63 million Americans who volunteer each year, many nonprofits and other community organizations simply would not exist.

At the Museum of World Treasures, we are grateful for every volunteer’s efforts — whether they donate their time to giving tours, researching the history of an artifact, or building an exhibit from start to finish.

Volunteer Appreciation Week isn’t until April, but why wait to appreciate some of our most valuable members of our Museum family? Here’s to highlighting one of our stellar volunteers whose work at the Museum has truly made a difference.

Alex Johnson

Growing up, Alex remembers visiting the Museum of World Treasures regularly with her family. In fact, the first time Alex and her dad ever visited the Museum was when it was still located in the Garvey Center on Douglas Avenue in downtown Wichita.

“When I was about eight, I fell in love with the Revolutionary War period,” Alex said. “Throughout my school days, I wanted to get involved with history more than just reading books about it, so I decided to volunteer at the Museum.”

In her four to five years a collections volunteer, Alex took photos to document all of the artifacts on display, assisted with inventory, exhibit maintenance, and several Museum events. She also catalogued items into the Past Perfect system — an application for collections archiving.

“I really enjoyed working the events, seeing the patrons, donors, and how different people interact with and experience the Museum,” she said.

At one point, Alex even got to hold Alexander Hamilton’s coat as she and a few Museum staff were switching out one of the exhibits.

(Pictured above: Alexander Hamilton Coat display)

Alex’s favorite memory at the Museum was when she and a few staff members were cleaning out the inside of the artifacts’ cases.

 “We’d take off the cases to clean them, then place them back with their artifacts,” she explained. “We did the shrunken head — like the big shrunken head — and Tim and Stephen (Museum staff members at the time) started sniffing it and were like, ‘You should smell this!’ and I was like, ‘No, thank you!’”

“So yeah, I got to see some pretty cool things,” Alex said.

Alex returns regularly for Coffee With the Curator whenever she’s in town, and said she hopes to continue volunteering more actively when she gets the chance.

“I love what this Museum stands for, and I want to contribute to its mission in any way I can,” Alex said. “I believe it is a valuable institution for our community.”

(Pictured above: Alex Johnson dresses as a 1920's "flapper" for a Museum fundraiser.)

Interested in volunteering at the Museum of World Treasures?

Click here to explore opportunities ranging from collections, exhibits, and research work to education, administration, visitor services, and marketing!