We have several volunteering opportunities in the following areas:
- Historic Mayowood Mansion
- Mayowood Gardens
- Library and Archives
- Education
- Museum and Curator
- Maintenance
- Heritage Gardens
- Roosters Base Ball
- Student Volunteers
- Internships
Historic Mayowood Mansion
Historic Mayowood Mansion Christmas Tours:
At the Historic Mayowood Mansion
Assist with general cleaning and decorating at the mansion
October
Historic Mayowood Mansion room docents, door greeters, gift shop cashier
November
Tear Down and Clean Up
After Christmas Tours – November
At the History Center
Greeters and Video – November
Take Telephone Reservations
October & November
There may be other days including weekends.
Mayowood Gardens
Volunteers are essential to keeping the gardens and grounds in good condition for visitors to enjoy. Volunteers are also needed for the restoration of the historic hillside gardens.
Library and Archives
The Archives section of HCOC is currently cataloging our collection of historical documents, photos, manuscripts, books, maps, blueprints and other historically significant printed material. Volunteers are essential to this process.
Volunteer opportunities in the library are on-going projects and provide flexible schedules. Research assistant, data entry, archives assistant, and cataloging are just a few of the opportunities available.
Education
Several key volunteer opportunities in our education department
include: guides/interpreters for our school age programs, research assistants and special event assistants.
Annual tours for second grade students run from April into June, and third grade tours run from September through October. During this program, students visit the museum and several of the historic buildings on the grounds, including the George Stoppel Farm, the Hadley Valley School and the Dee Log Cabin.
Scripts and training are provided.
Museum and Curator
The Collections Department is working on inventorying and cataloging the 3-D collection. This on-going project calls for many enthusiastic volunteers. We are seeking volunteers who have a passion for Olmsted County History and pay close attention to detail.
Other volunteer opportunities in the Collections Department are with exhibit development. If you are interested in assisting with exhibit planning, maintenance, or research for an exhibit please contact volunteer services.
Maintenance
This department is responsible for the repair and maintenance of our entire property and buildings. A volunteer can receive hands-on experience in several vocational areas such as electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, carpentry, masonry and gardening.
Heritage and Medicinal Gardens
These gardens are planted and maintained under the direction of the Olmsted County Master Gardeners as an important addition to our education department.
Roosters Base Ball
The Roosters and Hens vintage base ball clubs, play the game in period uniforms, using replica bats and balls and 1860 rules. Their home, Schmitt Field, is on the History Center grounds. The Roosters and Hens are members of the Vintage Base Ball Association. Recruits are always welcome. See the Rooster’s page for more information.
Student Volunteer Opportunities
HCOC offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for students who want to earn Student Service Learning hours in a unique environment. Students may do historical research, meet the public, work with history professionals, give tours, and more.
Internship Opportunities
The History Center of Olmsted County is dedicated to the preservation and understanding of the County’s heritage, and promotes the study, appreciation and interpretation of local and regional history. In collaboration with college and university academic advisors and professors, the History Center is determined to engage interns by introducing them to all facets of the History Center of Olmsted County’s work, which encompasses, to one degree or another, all four aspects of “historic preservation” (i.e., archives studies, museum studies, living history/historic site management, and education and interpretation).
The History Center’s sites house substantial numbers of artifacts, documents, photographs, films and negatives. Every effort is made to document and protect these unique collections using the best in collection care standards. The History Center seeks interns to assist with ongoing computerization projects, as well as other collection processing projects, exhibits, and program development.
Students studying history, museum or archives management, material culture, historic preservation, education or related fields, will find the experience of interning with the History Center beneficial. Internship relationships prove to be beneficial for both the students and the History Center. Interns have the opportunity to complete significant projects, and receive valuable professional experience working with the History Center staff and volunteers.
Intern positions with the History Center of Olmsted County are not currently monetarily reimbursable. Fulfillment requirements of a prospective internship are discussed between the student, professor or academic advisor, and History Center staff when arranging internship coursework. Work schedules are generally flexible to accommodate students’ needs.
