LODI — The San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum’s Docent Council is marking its 40th anniversary with a special program highlighting stories from early docents. The monthly Docent Council meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 10, at the museum in Micke Grove Park south of Lodi.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. in the museum’s Cortopassi-Avansino building. After the program and refreshments, a short business meeting will follow. The public is encouraged to attend.

The museum’s Docent Council first organized in 1972 with Edna Smith of Lodi as chairperson. There were seven dedicated members in the beginning. The program will feature many early docents recounting their memories, and there will be scrapbooks and other items highlighting the docents’ contributions to the museum to see.

Today, the Docent Council is a volunteer group with about 60 members in the San Joaquin County Historical Society & Museum and assists in the museum’s activities and educational programs like Valley Days and Pioneer School.

New signups are being taken now for the next docent class beginning instruction on Oct. 1.

For more information, call the museum at 331-2055 or 953-3460 or visit the website at sanjoaquinhistory.org