Pomeroy Living History Farm Volunteer Information
Thank you for your interest in the volunteer programs at Pomeroy Living History Farm. We hope that you will find something that meets your interests and that you will want to become involved with some aspect of the programs.
The mission of Pomeroy Living History Farm is: "to provide education focused on farm life, for children and the general public, by conserving and interpreting the unique heritage of the Pomeroy Farm."
The interpretive technique used is known as living history. It relies on costumed interpreters to demonstrate the day to day activities of life in the past. At Pomeroy Farm we interpret the 1920's. Interpreters do not actually take on the role of a 1920's person, but rather demonstrate and explain processes and invite our guests to participate with hands-on experiences whenever safely possible.
There are four types of general
volunteering opportunities at the farm.
They are:
* School program interpreters
* Weekend program interpreters and support staff
* Annual festivals volunteers
* General assistance volunteers
School Program
The school program is the keystone
of the Living History Farm operation. The program runs from
mid-September to late October and from late March into early June. Volunteers participating in this program commit to
volunteer one day a week. We always hope volunteers will
return for additional seasons, since it really takes about a
season to learn the ropes.
School program volunteers demonstrate and assist students in domestic and farm chores and fun activities. The program is structured so that volunteers remain at one area, demonstrating a single activity, while groups of students rotate to numerous stations. Therefore, volunteers don't have to know it all, at least initially. Printed orientation and training materials and experienced volunteers or staff assist new volunteers in learning stations.
Volunteer stations include butter churning, the parlor, the garden, chickens and cows and the hay barn. The rotational part of the program is followed by a craft or game activity, which include corn husk doll making, group games, rope making, piecing, and weaving.
The program day runs from 9:15 a.m. to 1:45
p.m.
Weekend Volunteers
Special Event Weekend interpreters perform a similar function to school program volunteers. The main difference is that the weekend program is more informal and less structured. Volunteers staff a station in the same way, but the public wanders through the farm at their own pace and with their own interests. It is often up to the volunteer to initiate conversation.
If you have a special historical interest or talent, the weekend program may be able to incorporate your special skills into the program, either at one of the stations or as a featured activity. Let us know what you love to do.
In addition to historical interpreters, the weekend program also needs volunteers to help with food service, parking cars, the garden, and other tasks.
The weekend programs run the
first full weekend of each month, June through September.
Volunteers work from 10 - 5:00 on Saturday and 12:30 - 5:00 on
Sunday. Lunch and a supper/social time are provided on
Saturday. Lunch is provided on Sundays.
Festival Volunteers
The spring
Herb Festival held the third weekend of May, and the fall
Pumpkin Festival held on the first weekend of October, are
annual fund raising events for the Pomeroy Living History
Farm. Volunteers are needed to assist with food service,
parking cars, and to serve as greeters, hosts, and
hostesses. For folks with limited volunteer time, the
festivals are excellent opportunities.
General Assistance
Some volunteers are able to
assist with the day to day operation and maintenance of the
farm. Usually these volunteers have a skill to offer, but
the above programs may not fit their schedule. Some
examples are building picnic tables, gardening, planning and
preparing exhibits, doing historical research, updating the
farm's computerized mailing list, and assisting with the
newsletter. "Lickers and stickers" are also
needed to help with newsletter and fund raising mailings.
Benefits of Volunteering
Besides the benefits of having lots of fun, learning more about history, and meeting new people, volunteers are entitled to some special benefits. They receive a 10% discount at the Pomeroy House Gift Shop on any day that they volunteer. They also receive the farm's newsletter, Down on the Farm, in which all volunteers are acknowledged.
A series of trainings are provided in the spring to prepare volunteers for the upcoming season. Special outings and historic performances are also provided for volunteers on an occasional basis.
Please contact the Farm's
volunteer coordinator, Bob Brink at (360) 686-3524 for more information.