Successful Docenting in the New Mexico History Museum by Ken Bower, Ed.D., Volunteer Docent

 

Since I am from another state, I had very little knowledge of New Mexico history. I have lived in New Mexico since, August 1999. I developed an interest in New Mexico's history and had traveled extensively around the state. I began my docent training at the museum in October, 2018 completing my training in May, 2019. I began docenting and by the end of December I had given 21 tours in the museum. I gave a total of six tours in 2020, but as of Monday, March 16 the New Mexico History Museum closed because of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic. There were no docent led tours for the remainder of 2020 or in 2021. By July, 2022 I began giving tours again and have been regularly giving tours ever since.

1. Museum guests come from various states and countries. They have varying degrees if knowledge about New Mexico in general (geology, topography, cities & towns or history). I have found that most of them have very little knowledge about the state in general. A couple of guests on one of my tours who were from Spain said that they were never taught about the Spanish history in New Mexico in school!

2. There will be some in your group who will be more interested in your tour than others. I find it best for me to talk mainly to the person who shows the most interest. The others in the group will benefit from this as well. Also, I like groups of from six to eight people. I have given a tour one-on-one, but it takes more energy and attention. Ten or more makes it harder for some to hear/see, etc.

3. Your tour should take between 45min. and 1hr. Longer than that becomes difficult for the participants to keep up their interest. Some participants will look at their smart phones during your tour anyway. Don't get frustrated! Also, you should not use notes! It is very distracting for the guests.

4. As you go through your tour you should elicit responses from the participants. I usually do this by asking questions of them from time to time. ex. "How did Pope tell the different pueblo's what date to attack the Spanish?", "What were the only two domesticated animals in North America before the Spanish arrived?"

5. You will develop certain points throughout your tour that you enjoy talking about. Your enthusiasm will keep their interest in your tour sections. From time to time you will have groups with some special interest that you will want to explore a little more in depth. ex. I usually don't go into the room with the Segasser hides unless the group is art oriented or if asked specifically to talk about them.

6. Remember that you will be a volunteer docent/guide throughout the museum. You will probably not come into contact with the other docents except in the monthly meetings. You will, however get to know many of the museum employees. Your only compensation will be the enjoyment of giving tours and talking to the guests about the history and places in New Mexico. Have fun doing it!

I also go to the Museum for 2 hours when I go. Anything less than that seems like a big trip downtown for just one hour. My official Docent Guided Tour lasts for about 45min-1hour. The first hour that I am in the Museum I just walk around the galleries, welcome the various visitors to the museum and ask if they have any questions about what they are looking at at the moment. If not, if they look like they may have an interest in some item I will tell them a little story about that specific item and then walk away. I don't make a pest of myself! A docent can do that anywhere in the museum or in the Palace of Governors. I think most of the time it is appreciated!