Volunteering at Mount Vernon
Open 365 days of the year,Mount Vernon is the most popular historic estate in America. The purpose of the volunteer program is to help protect the historic property. The program has been in existence for nearly 30 years and consists of about 300 active volunteers contributing their time and expertise in almost all of Mount Vernon’s departments.
Volunteers:Must be 16 years or older.
Must contribute at least 25 hours per year to remain active.
Volunteer Activities
Guest ServicesMount Vernon hosts a million-plus visitors. This would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers. Volunteers’ duty is to interact with a wide range of visitors to assess their interests for their visit to Mount Vernon and welcome warmly each guest who comes through the estate’s main gate.
Qualifications:Good interpersonal skills
Ability to stand for up to four hours
Completion of training related to the post
Sewing CircleThe sewing circle is ideal for people who enjoy making and restoring costuming for Mount Vernon’s historic trades and historic character personnel. Volunteers’ duty is to create and maintain authentic 18th-century style hand-sewn costume accessories(配饰).
Qualifications:Sewing skills
K-12 and Youth ProgramsVolunteers assist the Mount Vernon K-12 anl Youth Learning Team with a variety of programs. Among them,Hands-on-History,which provides visitors aged 3-10 an opportunity to discover George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Qualifications:Previous experience as a K-12 educator is desirable.
LibraryFred W.Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington opened in 2013.The library is a resource for scholars,students,and all those interested in George Washington,colonial America, and the Revolutionary and founding eras. Volunteers provide coverage for a large number of support tasks and often provide that all-important first impression for visitors to the library.
Qualifications:Good interpersonal skills
Experience in using Microsoft Office
1. What is a volunteer required to do in the“Guest Services”?
A.Reply visitors’ complaints. | B.Be friendly to visitors. |
C.Master basic computer skills. | D.Stand for more than 4 hours. |
2. Who is more suitable to be a volunteer in the K-12 and Youth Programs?
A.A student over 16 years old. | B.A graduate from an art college. |
C.A woman with sewing skills. | D.A retired high school teacher. |
3. What do the four volunteer activities have in common?
A.They aim for preserving Mount Vernon. | B.They are the most popular with visitors. |
C.They have business training for volunteers. | D.They have been in existence for 30 years. |