Get Involved

Volunteer at Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site and you can help bring the history of Watkins Mill to life for today’s visitors. You can dress in period clothing and demonstrate a number of 1870s activities during our living history events. You can cook in the summer kitchen, make rag dolls or rope, and teach Victorian games to children who don’t know a world without computers. You can immerse yourself in the times and give tours of the historic site. Or, if you prefer to work behind the scenes, consider volunteering in the archives.

Seasonal and year-round positions are available. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, though children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

If your interests and abilities are in areas other than those listed, please contact the volunteer coordinator to discuss a personalized volunteer opportunity that will best suit your time and talents.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site
(816) 580-3387

Click here to email for more information 

This is a great volunteer position for college students who anticipate entering either the archival or museum curation field and want to get some hands on experience. It is also a great position for those who like history, but don’t want to dress up, or for anyone interested in preserving the past!

Position: Year round

Requirements: There are no set time requirements for this position. Volunteers who choose this category will meet with the volunteer coordinator as well as the archive coordinator to discuss the assignment of archival and curation projects based upon the volunteer’s interests and the archival priorities of the historic site.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field may include, but not be limited to:

• Preservation of Watkins artifacts such as letters, photographs, clothing, books, etc., using correct archival materials and techniques.
• Assigning and recording archival numbers to undocumented and/or recently donated artifacts; as well as providing a description and rating for each artifact using correct archival recording methods.
• Entering recorded data into electronic archival database system using PastPerfect electronic archival system. This could include not only entering the description of the artifact, but also digital pictures of the artifact.
• Transcribing original documents of the Watkins family, including personal and business letters, business records, etc.

This volunteer opportunity is a good fit for the pro or amateur wood worker who wants to learn authentic reproduction techniques and methods; the pro or amateur gardener who enjoys learning about and preserving heirloom varieties; as well as for anyone who is interested in livestock or just enjoys being outside.

Position: Year round

Requirements: There are no set time requirements for this position. Volunteers who choose this category will meet with the volunteer coordinator as well as with the historic maintenance supervisor to discuss the assignment of historic maintenance/maintenance projects based upon the volunteer’s interests and the historic maintenance/maintenance priorities of the historic site.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field may include, but not be limited to:

• Historic maintenance projects such as repairing and white washing the Watkins house fence; working on the mule pasture and school fence projects; painting the roof of the engine shed; as well as the reproduction and repair of period artifacts such as furniture and outbuildings using period correct tools and techniques.
• Regular maintenance duties such as mowing and trimming areas of the historic site and park; and cleaning and maintaining of historic site and park buildings. * operating power equipment and mowers requires a valid drivers license and will be assigned on a as needed basis.
• Care for historic livestock (off-season: September through May), including feeding the animals and maintenance of livestock housing.
• Care and maintenance of heirloom variety garden (off-season: September through May; and in season: June through August before and after living history hours), including planting, cultivating, and seed saving.

This is a great volunteer opportunity for both the amateur and master seamstress or tailor to try something a little different. It is also a good opportunity for college students interested in pursuing a career in design, as well as for anyone who enjoys making clothes.

Position: Year Round

Requirements: There are no set time requirements for this position. Volunteers who choose this category will meet with the volunteer coordinator as well as with the period clothing coordinator to discuss the assignment of period clothing projects based upon the volunteer’s interests and the period clothing priorities of the historic site.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field may include, but not be limited to:

• Repairing and reproducing proper methods and techniques.
• Researching and documenting specific period clothing items to determine level of authenticity as relating to the main time period being interpreted at Watkins Mill.
• Assisting in the set up and disassembly of period clothing displays at the visitor center.
• Assist the period clothing coordinator in dispensing period clothing to paid staff and volunteers for the regular living history season as well as special events. This also includes recording clothing numbers.

This is a superb position for the volunteer who enjoys living history or just wants to help Watkins Mill out, but doesn’t quite have the time to do so on a regular basis. Volunteers in this category really help us to truly make our special events something special!

Position: Per special event

Requirements: Volunteer to participate in a minimum of 1 out of the 4 yearly special events held at Watkins Mill: Spring on the Farm; Fall on the Farm; and Christmas on the Farm.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field, with the exception of the Back Porch Jam/Fall Music Festival (see following Back Porch Jam/Fall Music Festival duties), may include, but will not be limited to:

• Assisting in the set up as well as the clean up of the special event.
• Dressing in period garb assigned or approved by the period clothing coordinator.
• Performing assigned living history tasks such as cooking on a wood burning stove; cross cut sawing; making lye soap; or other activities appropriate for the time period and the nature of the special event.
• notification of assigned tasks will be provided by the special event coordinator prior to the event. Requests can be made for certain activities, but the assignment of activities will be at the discretion of the special event coordinator.
• Engaging the public following the interpretive theme of the event as well as provide standard interpretation of the Watkins Home and Mill.

This is an excellent position for those who love to bring history to life and have the time and dedication to do so. It is also a good fit for college students interested in working in the interpretive field, or for anyone who wants to learn about history through doing historical activities. Volunteers in this category are the lifeblood of our living history program!

Position: Seasonal (June – August)

Requirements: The minimum time requirement for this category is 1 full (8 hr) day once every other week for a total of 6 full days per season.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field may include, but not be limited to:

• Dressing in period garb assigned or approved by the period clothing coordinator.
• Performing assigned living history tasks such as cooking on a wood burning stove; cross cut sawing; making lye soap; or other activities appropriate for the time period.
• Care and maintenance of heirloom variety garden (in season: June through August), including planting, cultivating, and seed saving.
• Engaging the public through interpretation of the Watkins Home and Mill.
• Provide tours of the Watkins Home and Mill *optional
• Participate in special events (see special events description). *optional

This is a good opportunity for volunteers interested in a career in sales, or for anyone who likes to meet people and has good customer service skills. This category is especially important during special events, school tours, and the peak of the tourist season (May – September).

Position: Year Round

Requirements: There are no set time requirements for this position. Volunteers who choose this category will meet with the volunteer coordinator and the historic site administrator to discuss assignment of volunteer responsibilities based upon the volunteer’s interests and the needs in regards to the visitor center.

Duties: Volunteer duties in this field may include, but not be limited to:

• Possessing an adequate knowledge of the historic site and park in order to answer visitors’ questions either directly, or via phone.
• Operating the site’s video equipment to show videos or slide shows as per request.
• Maintaining the site’s displays.