Volunteer

Our several historic and natural properties, our genealogical research library, along with our interpretative and educational activities, provide many opportunities for a variety of volunteer opportunities.

Want to get your hands dirty? Germanna Foundation staff archaeologist, Dr. Eric Larsen, accepts volunteers to help in archaeology work for the Foundation. The excavation field season is continuing through August 2016. Volunteers to assist in other archaeology work following the field season are also welcome. If you’re located near Locust Grove, VA, and want to help out please email Eric and let him know you’re willing to help.

Brawdus Martin Visitor Center – Museum and Library Docent: Located in Locust Grove, VA, the Germanna Visitor Center, museum, and library, is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm. Docents greet visitors, provide a short introduction to the exhibits in the museum, assist in the library, and handle light clerical, clean-up and maintenance duties. Docents are expected to be able to volunteer for at least two (2) 4-hour periods each month. An interest in area history, or library science or genealogy may be helpful, but is not necessary, as the Foundation provides a short self-paced training guide and other materials to assist volunteer docents. A friendly and helpful demeanor is required, and docents need to be able to stand for periods of about a half-hour at a time, converse with visitors and answer questions, and be comfortable walking in and around the center and the grounds (in decent weather), including the Memorial Garden. Opportunities to serve at special events, outside regularly-scheduled open hours, are occasionally available too.

Trails, Buildings and Grounds Maintenance: The Foundation maintains the Russell and Joan Hitt hiking trail system through our Siegen Forest property, all beginning near the Visitor Center. The Wilderness Battlefield Ground Force leads volunteer efforts to maintain and improve these trails (s well as other trails on other properties in the Wilderness battlefield area), and are always looking for volunteers. The Foundation also accepts volunteers who wish to do light building maintenance duties including janitorial cleaning, replacing light bulbs, minor repairs and upkeep (e.g., replacing or fixing locks, door knobs, windows, touch-up painting, replacing HVAC or water system filters, minor plumbing repairs, lubricating door hinges, moving cabinets or wall hangings, fixing or moving furniture, etc.). Got a green thumb? We also accept volunteers willing to perform grounds and garden maintenance and beautification work (e.g., planting, mulching, trimming, weeding, watering, etc.).

Salubria Docent: Salubria, located in Stevensburg, VA, in Culpeper County, just a few miles west of the Visitor Center on Route 3, does not currently have a regular schedule of public tours, but tours are made available by appointment April through October. While the Foundation does plan to establish public tour hours for Salubria in the future, we are seeking volunteers now to serve as docents to give tours (by appointment) at Salubria. Tours typically last about one hour if the visitors are able and desire to see the entire mansion and grounds. Docents must be able to learn to give the tour (materials and information is provided), walk (including some walking backwards) for at least an hour without needing to stop and rest, and have a good, clear speaking voice.

Please note: All volunteers (except interns) are expected to join the Foundation as members and remain members in good standing throughout their service as a volunteer. All volunteers are also required to review and sign the Germanna Foundation Volunteer Form and Waiver Agreement. Additional docent guidelines and specific volunteer work instructions, including easy-to-follow dress code requirements and more detailed policies and procedures for certain volunteer activities, may be published and revised from time to time by the Foundation.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to schedule a visit to sign up as a volunteer, please call John Howard, our Volunteer Coordinator, at the Foundation office at 540-423-1700 (Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat between 1pm and 5pm). Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming you as a Germanna volunteer.

Internship Opportunities: The Foundation also regularly seeks and accepts college students for internships. Interns may have a variety of experiences related to the heritage of Germanna, including genealogical research, historic preservation, exhibiting and interpretation, office management and administration, marketing and fundraising, archaeology, education, and even hospitality services at Germanna events. Depending on the student’s field of study and interests, it may be possible to meet certain academic requirements and receive credit for internship work, contingent upon approval by the college or university where the student is studying. Internships are an opportunity for growth in one’s knowledge and personal satisfaction. Germanna internships are unpaid, and interns are accepted as volunteers and are not employees of the Foundation. Internships are generally accepted for 8-week periods in the Fall semester (September through November), the Spring semester (February through April), and the Summer (June through August), but may be scheduled for different periods and times based on the student’s needs or desires. A letter of application, resume, and academic record, along with at least one recommendation from a professor or instructor, are required of internship applicants.