A four-week group training session is held in April; however, it is possible to arrange for one-on-one training during other times of the year. The training covers procedures at the Castle as well as providing extensive historical background which you will find helpful in interpreting our historic house.

A docent gives guided tours of the Castle, telling our visitors about its history and the people who once lived there.

The four-week training or individual training sessions will give you the background information you need. In addition, a provided manual gives detailed material for each room of the Castle as well as its former inhabitants. The manual also has a script for a sample tour and cue cards for each room. After the training, you will “shadow” an experienced docent until such time as you feel confident to give tours on your own. Docents work shifts in pairs so there will always be another docent to help out as needed.

No. Far more material is provided than you could possibly use. Docents typically pick out the factual information in which they are most interested themselves because that enthusiasm is catching. For that reason, every docent does a tour a little differently and you will find that you will probably vary your own presentation from time to time depending on your audience. Also, don’t worry too much about memorizing specific dates; guests usually do not find those particularly interesting.

Even experienced docents don’t know all the answers and you’re not expected to either.  Usually, I say something like, “That’s a really good question.  I’ll have to look that up.” Or “Good question; what do you think?” or “When we finish the tour, let’s ask the other docent; he/she might be able to answer that question.” 

Tours typically last about 50 – 60 minutes. The size of a tour group will vary from about 2-6.  Occasionally there may be larger groups but you may even give a one-on-one tour.

Docents are asked to sign up for two 4-hour shifts a month. You will pick the dates. Interpretive tours of the house are typically offered at: noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in May, September and until mid-October and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August. Docents are asked to be there by 11:45 to help open up and to stay a few minutes at the end to close up. Docents are also requested to attend a Docent Meeting on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 am. If you volunteer for School Programs or for Special Groups coming in, you might occasionally spend another 1-2 hours for those tours, but this is optional. Finally, there are public events during the year during which docents typically volunteer to give tours or to serve in some other capacity.

This is entirely up to you. Most docents prefer to dress in colonial attire. If you don’t wish to dress in colonial attire or are unsure about it you should wear a Smith’s Castle polo shirt. We do have a limited number of clothing articles available in various sizes; these may be borrowed if needed. Some docents prefer to make their own and we have patterns available. In extremely hot weather, modifications can be made; however, we try not to cancel tours.

Would I like to learn more about early Rhode Island history? Would I like to share my interests with other people? Do I enjoy meeting new people? Am I looking for a meaningful volunteer activity? Do I have a few hours a month to spend at the Castle?

Our greeters are also very important to the Castle. They are the Castle’s first contact with our guests, welcoming them with a smile, giving tour information, answering general questions and taking admission fees. Most greeters have attended a portion or all of the training and have a handbook. This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for someone who does not feel comfortable with actually leading tours or with limited mobility. Greeters follow the same schedules as docents and usually wear either colonial attire or a Smith’s Castle polo. Greeters will often bring their crafts such as knitting to add to the colonial atmosphere.

Certainly.  Either call the Castle Office at (401) 294-3521 or email us at info@smithscastle.org.

Our office hours are limited, but please leave your name, phone number and email address, and someone will contact you.

Please fill out and submit the Docent/Greeter Form below.