Looking for insights into contemporary art? Want to learn more about the history of Bellingham? Need a review of Art Appreciation 101?  Take a docent-led tour! Docents are gifted tour guides eager to share their knowledge in informal, interactive hour-long tours. This is a terrific way to learn more about art and history while you visit.
Here’s what you can expect:

  • Gallery tours generally last one hour.
  • Tours are offered on a walk-in basis
  • Art exhibition tours begin in the lobby of the Lightcatcher building.
  • Old City Hall tours begin at the front desk of Old City Hall.
  • Payment is processed at the time of arrival at the front desk.
  • Tour bookings are free to members/included with admission for non-members.

Bellingham National: Acts of Healing and Repair

Docent Tours:

Most Thursdays and Saturdays, 1 – 2 p.m. | See the calendar below for tour dates
Included with admission/Members free

Take a docent-guided tour of Bellingham National to learn more about the exhibition’s artists and winners.

Curator Tours:

Fridays, December 8, January 19 & February 2, 1 – 2 p.m. 
Included with admission/Members free

Join Amy Chaloupka, curator of art, in the Lightcatcher building for conversational tours of Bellingham National.

Old City Hall History Tours

Most Sundays, 1 – 2 p.m. | See the calendar below for tour dates
Tours begin at the attendant desk at Old City Hall
Included with admission/Members free

Take a fun, informative tour with our trained docents. They take participants through the building and down to the basement of Old City Hall to see the historic jail rooms, including a padded cell from the days of prohibition. Our docents give an overview of the architecture of the venerable building, as well as the history of the early days of Bellingham. Participants will learn fun facts, quirky trivia, and unique stories about some of the characters who worked in and visited the building.

Private Docent-Led Tours

Tour Old City Hall and the Lightcatcher gallery exhibitions through a private, pre-scheduled tour. Private tours are $15/person for non-members and $5/person for members. Email our docent coordinator to schedule a tour.

Guided Docent Tour Schedule

The calendar below shows our active docent tours. Highlighted in red are Old City Hall History Tours. Highlighted in purple are Art exhibition tours. You can see which docent is delivering the tour by clicking on the specific tour. Start times and locations are listed above. Having trouble seeing the tour calendar? Try this link instead.

Virtual Tours:

Visit the Museum’s YouTube channel for a variety of docent and curator-narrated virtual exhibition tours.

Become a Docent Tour Guide

Are you a life-long learner who loves art and history, enjoys interacting with the public, and wants to make a contribution to our community? Our docent tour program may be just for you! The Whatcom Museum offers periodic training for our docent program. If you would like to be added to our waiting list send us an email.

Docent Portal and Resources

Already part of our docent team? Click the image below to access various resources, sign up for tours, or review the upcoming touring schedule.