Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
Whether your interests are gardening, history, research or retail Locust Grove needs YOU! Locust Grove volunteers are essential to the daily operation of the site. If you would like to be part of this vital volunteer corps contact us for more information. A review of the daily management and mission of Locust Grove will be presented with a detailed description of the variety of volunteer opportunities.
Long-Term Volunteer Opportunities
Training for these positions requires a one- to two-year commitment.
Visitors’ Center Volunteer
Volunteers assist in taking admissions, operating the museum store, answering the phone and greeting visitors.
Docents
Volunteers complete a training course to conduct tours at Locust Grove. Docents can also train in crafts of the period and give costumed demonstrations. Prior experience or knowledge is not required, but an enthusiasm for history is welcomed.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Flower and Herb Garden
Volunteers work with the staff gardener in weeding, planting and maintaining the flower beds, herb garden and quadrant gardens. Volunteers must initially meet with the staff gardener but can arrange to work at their convenience.
Afternoon Lecture Series
The Afternoon Lecture is held the first Wednesday of each month. Volunteers work from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. preparing the dessert buffet and cleaning up after the lecture. Time spent cooking at home is included in volunteer service.
Summer Camps
Volunteers assist camp leaders in craft activities for children 6-12 years. Camps are held in June and July of each summer.
Book Sale
Volunteers work to sort and organize books donated throughout the year. Volunteers also assist with set up and selling books at the sales that are held twice-yearly, in March and August. Book sale volunteers must attend a training session beforehand.
Special Events
Volunteers assist in taking admissions, baking, concessions, parking, set up and clean up for weekend events such as the Gardeners’ Fair, Antiques Markets, and Market Fair. Events are held once a month April thru July and September thru December.
Volunteer Benefits
As a volunteer at Locust Grove, you will be entitled to a variety of benefits reserved just for you:
- Locust Grove furnishes your training and materials for study. The Volunteer Library contains many books and articles which may be checked out and other materials available for in-house research.
- Each year the Volunteer Steering Committee organizes professional development sessions, field trips, and other special opportunities.
- Volunteers are recognized by Locust Grove staff, Board of Directors, and the Volunteer Steering Committee through several awards, name badges and at an annual appreciation party.
- Volunteers receive free admission to the Afternoon Lecture Series and a quarterly issue of The Grove Gazette.
- Volunteers can enjoy tax benefits because of their participation at Locust Grove. Any money which is spent on transportation during your term as a volunteer is tax deductible as are any donations, either monetary gifts or donations to the collection.
Volunteer Requirements
As a Locust Grove volunteer, you must be willing to:
- Arrive promptly for scheduled assignments.
- Be dependable about meeting your scheduled obligations and conscientious about notifying staff well in advance if you must cancel.
- Complete the entire training program with certification from the Director of Interpretation.
- Continue to learn through in-service days, information updates, etc.
- Willingness to learn about the site and its history and be honest with visitors about what we know for sure and what we speculate about.
- Ability to learn, take constructive advice, and undergo periodic performance reviews.
- Try new approaches to interpretation or to share successes and failures with others.
- Participate in efforts to evaluate and improve visitor services.
- Be enthusiastic. If you are excited about your words, the visitors will be, too.
- Be flexible. Try to adapt to the visitors’ needs, whether it is a group with mobility concerns or those with little time to spend on the tour.
- Be friendly, courteous, and patient.
Ready to get started? Have questions?
Contact Kaitlyn Tisdale at ktisdale@locustgrove.org.