Volunteers, Docents

Docent positions are available at the Torrance Historical Society & Museum. Training is provided. You choose how often or seldom you're available to serve.

If you're interested in spending an occasional afternoon sharing history with and learning from the fine people who visit the City's all-volunteer historical museum, or would like to volunteer to assist for a special event, call the Museum by phone or visit the Contact Us page on our website.

Names on the Wall Project -- Volunteer Opportunity Honors Vets

Historic Resources Survey

The Historical Society, in partnership with the City of Torrance, surveyed the significant and original housing stock and other structures that were built during the formation of Torrance. This project required each volunteer to survey one of the blocks of the Olmstead District. No knocking on doors was required, and each volunteer was trained. With the volunteer help, 4,000 units were surveyed.

In Celebration of the City's Centennial in 2012, the Torrance Historical Society had volunteers to assist in a field survey documenting all structures within the Olmsted Tract - the original footprint of the City.

The area is comprised of approximately 100 city blocks with residential, commercial and industrial sub-districts. Borders encompassing this area are Dominguez St. to Plaza del Amo, and Crenshaw Blvd. to Western Avenue. The purpose of the survey was to document all structures, landscape design and other features that are contributing elements to a potential Historic Preservation District.

Those who were selected were assigned a block and asked to complete a standard form for each structure, which included a photo of the structure, the style of each structure, date of structure and asked to identify whether the structure had been altered. Based on the field survey data, each structure was classified as contributing, altered-contributing or as a non-contributing structure.

The formal survey training took place over three weekends in September 2011. It began with classroom style training and then the volunteers were assigned a block to survey.

If either the Names on the Wall Project, or docenting interests you, and you would like to join with other like-minded people to work for the preservation and enhancement of our city's past, please contact the Museum by phone or visit the Contact Us page or call the museum at (310) 328-5392.