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Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for inquiring about the volunteer opportunities we have at the Accokeek Foundation. Volunteers are a vital part of the Accokeek Foundation. Without this special group of dedicated people we would not be able to fulfill our mission: "to preserve, protect and foster, for scientific, educational and charitable use and study for the benefit of the people of the nation, the historical sites and relics, trees, plants and wildlife rapidly disappearing from an area of great natural beauty along the Maryland shore of the historic Potomac River." No prior volunteer experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and an avid interest in the activities and programs we offer.

Please select an area of interest below and read about our volunteer opportunities. When you see something that interests you, please proceed to the Volunteer Application and Volunteer Liability Release Form, complete and submit them and start today!

The National Colonial Farm:
Life on a middle class 18th century tobacco plantation was busy. The family did daily tasks using time-honored skills to create unique lifestyle of the tidewater colonial region. They tended heirloom crops, kitchen gardens and heritage breed animals. Today, the two hundred year old Farmhouse and Tobacco Barn are ready for visitors from all over the world who come to catch a glimpse of Maryland colonial history in this unusual re-creation of how ordinary folk lived. Volunteers are needed to be interpreters of the colonial history of Accokeek and the Maryland colony and to perform demonstrations of 18th century crafts/trades. Training is provided.

We also need volunteer seamstresses to assist us in updating our Colonial clothing to more accurately reflect the period and economic background of a tobacco planter on the eve of the American Revolution. Fabric, notions, patterns and instructions will be provided to those interested. For more information please call Kathy at 301.283.2113 ext 32.

Foodways Volunteers:
The Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm is looking for volunteers for the newly formed Foodways Program. As part of the program, costumed interpreters will demonstrate preparation of foods, authentic for the time period and representative of "middling" sort tobacco growing families in the Tidewater area. Demonstrations take place at the National Colonial Farm on the 3rd Saturday of each month, from April through December. Volunteers will be trained in Open Hearth cooking, with the expectation of a commitment of one weekend day per month for a minimum of six months. Training begins March 3rd, 2007, and will take place each Saturday in March, from 9 am to noon. For more information, please contact Kathy Talbot, Special Events and Membership Coordinator, at 301.283.2113, ext. 32 or via email at ktalbot@accokeek.org.

Bluebird Trail Monitor
From March through August, volunteers are needed to monitor over forty boxes on Kenneth Otis Bluebird Trail. Training is provided.

Agriculture and Gardening
If your interests are more modern, there are volunteer opportunities at the Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm, a modern certified organic farm. For those with historic interests, 18th century crops and gardens are grown on the Colonial site. Combining old and new, the Museum is a learning experience where visitors can compare new and heirloom varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Training is provided.

Trails, Trees and Shoreline
The several miles of trail require regular maintenance. The newest, the Riparian Forest Buffer was planted with over 2000 trees by hundreds of volunteers. In early April, the Watershed Cleanup at this site needs dozens of volunteers.

Administrative
The Accokeek Foundation is always in need of volunteers to assist with projects. These assignments may range from taking pictures at events, crowd control and parking, light office work, mail preparation, data entry, program registration ...or more. Training is provided.

Volunteer benefits include:

  • Being a part of a fantastic Accokeek Foundation team
  • Being involved in an environment of life-long learning
  • Being a part of preserving Colonial history, living resources and agriculture
  • Free admission to most programs
  • Free parking
  • Flexible schedule
  • Access to The Accokeek Foundation quarterly newsletter
  • Invitations to special events and lecture series
  • Professional development, training and work experience

For more information, or to submit your forms, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 301.283.2113 ext. 32 or via email at ktalbot@accokeek.org.

To download the Volunteer Application, please click here.

To download the Volunteer Liability Release Form, please click here.