The Museum is a private nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving and sharing Catalina’s rich cultural heritage.  The Museum has grown considerably in the last several years and is developing exciting plans for its future.  There's never been a better time to get more involved. We invite you to help us by becoming a volunteer, member, and/or donor.

The Museum simply wouldn't exist without the support of its volunteers.  Last year volunteers donated more than 1000 hours of their precious time and energy to help the Museum accomplish its mission to preserve and share the cultural history of Catalina Island.  Volunteer opportunities exist in many different areas.  Currently, we have volunteer positions available for researchers, docents, ticket sellers, cookie bakers, wine servers, tour leaders, office assistants and more!  Time commitments range from a few hours annually to a few hours weekly.  If you're interested in getting hands-on with the Museum and joining our team, please call our Office Manager at 310-510-2414 ext. 2# or send an e-mail and let us know what your experiences and interests are! 

The Museum is a privately operated, 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  We rely on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to help us accomplish our mission and goals.  Donations are tax deductible.  Please contact our Executive Director if you'd like to make a donation or learn more about special giving opportunities. We accept memorial gifts, bequests and stock transfers and also encourage special gifts like charitable  remainder trusts.

If you love Catalina we invite you to join us on our quest to collect, preserve and present her rich and varied cultural history. Members receive various benefits, depending on their level of support. All levels receive our full color triannual newsletter - full of museum news, events and Island history-   and a 10% discount on store purchases - and the knowledge that they are an important and valued part of the Museum Family!

Download a MEMBERSHIP FORM HERE that you can fax to the Museum at 310-510-1957. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free!

Thank you, Volunteers!

The Museum held a special Volunteer Recognition Night on November 20th at the historic Catalina Island Yacht Club who kindly donated their facility.  The Avalon School Advanced Band, led by David Markowitz, entertained the crowd of over 50 volunteers and their guests.  After settling down to a delicious dinner catered by Sue Rikalo and her DC-3 Restaurant, the formal thanks got underway.  Executive director Stacey Otte announced that over 1,100 hours had been "donated" by volunteers in 2007 which, according to the Independent Sector, is valued at over $23,000.  Membership coordinator Gail Fornasiere listed the wide range of projects and tasks that volunteers undertake to support the staff and then the winners of the Volunteer of the Year were presented.  In 2007, Christy Jackson was the winner for her volunteer work with the museum store and in 2008 Mary Hirst won for her wide ranging efforts: scheduling tile tour volunteers, docenting in the galleries, cruise ship greeting, special event support and much more!  Curator Jeannine Pedersen made a special presentation to Roger Meadows who spent many hours helping conduct research for her latest book, Catalina by Air. 

All in all it was a great evening and the museum staff couldn't be more grateful to all the wonderful volunteers of the museum. Truly, we couldn't do it without you!

If you're interested in volunteering, please call 310-510-4650.

Volunteer Jamie Hmielak enjoying                                  Dave Markowitz led the Avalon School Advanced Band
appetizers supplied by the DC-3 Restaurant

Judy Hibbs and Stacey Otte thank the docents who            Kevin & Angela Strege with Membership Coord Gail Fornasiere
contributed over 500 hours in 2007

David W. Gibson
Volunteers of the Year
Award Winners

2000: Laurie Hill
2001: Ron Salo
2002: Dean Hill
2003: Judy Hibbs
2004: Tim Winslow
2005: Chuck Liddell
2006: Doug Bombard
2007: Christy Jackson
2008: Mary Hirst