Perhaps the most  frustrating thing about volunteers is the shockingly
pervasive disregard for conservation.  Especially in historic house
museums, there is a common attitude among volunteers that the more
they've worked at the museum or the older they are, the more entitled
they are to handle artifacts.  It is all too easy to "make yourself at
home."

During a group training session a long-time volunteers raised her hand,
complaining that objects in the home like vases, pots, etc., are
oftentimes not in their correct places.  I told her that the only people
approved to move objects were myself (who also functions as curatorial
asst.), the housekeeping staff, and the director.  I suggested that
volunteers ask/notify us immediately when something appeared to be
missing or out of place.

"That's good," she said, "because for 12 years I've moved that delft
vase to the Library and every time I come in someone has put it back in
the Hall."

Volunteers.  Gotta lov'em,

Jen Carlquist
Education & Volunteer Coor.
Glensheen Historic Estate
U of MN-Duluth