Blue Plaques Research Volunteer
Main purpose of the role:
As part of the Histories of Northamptonshire project Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will be installing Blue Plaques celebrating local people and their contribution to the history and heritage of West Northants.We wish to recruit volunteers to research the biographies/histories of Blue Plaque nominations to assist the advisory panel with selection of the final Blue Plaque recipients in 2025. Additionally researchers will gather detailed information for the selected nominations and plaque locations to help with the plaque text, website content or support any additional public engagement activity such as assisting with events or learning materials.
Main Duties:
- Using a range of research methods
- Using primary and secondary source material in the museum to research particular topics, people or place
- Visiting local library and records offices if necessary
- Using the internet to access digitised, research resources, including the census, marriage, birth and death registers, military service records, newspapers and wider archival resources.
- Viewing locations, buildings, objects or interviewing Blue Plaque nominee “experts” or other contacts when necessary including taking photographs and recording information.
- Writing up research into templates for consideration by the Blue Plaques panel and potentially drafting text for website, publication or events such as talks
- Potentially supporting installation or other public events / publicity via social media or face-to face activity
Location:
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, home based and / or other county locations if appropriate
Approximate time commitment and duration:
Flexible – varies throughout period of project – Any time from March to December 2025 with majority of research activity March - June
Training:
The Museum can provide wider support as and when needed. This is an opportunity to develop research skills, written communication skills, local history (people and places) knowledge and potentially the opportunity to develop engagement and presentational skills.
We will keep you updated on the museum’s overall policies, programme of events and exhibitions and other information that will have an impact on your role.
Skills required or that volunteers can develop in this role:
- An interest in local history and enjoy researching family or buildings history
- Particular interest and experience of research based work and referencing
- Good IT skills – and knowledge of online research tools e.g. census, newspaper archives
- Good communication skills – verbal and written and good understanding of the English Language
Other Information:
- All equipment will be provided
- We can provide reasonable out of pocket travel expenses for example to visit potential Blue Plaque locations or archives.