Volunteering

Heritage, history, and romance.

These are all part of the story we tell at the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum in regards to Edith Bolling Wilson, second wife of the 28th president Woodrow Wilson. The Museum needs volunteers to help us tell Mrs. Wilson’s story, maintain our public persona, and grow. In return the Museum offers training, experience for those in the job market, free or discounted event tickets, public acknowledgment of our gratitude, and special volunteer “only” events.

The Benefits of Volunteering

  • Helping to preserve history
  • Being a needed member of a community effort
  • Helping to build and strengthen the Museum
  • Attend Volunteer Only Events
  • Invitations and discounts to special events
  • 10% off Museum Purchases

Requirements

  • You must be 18 or older or volunteer with a parent
  • Must attend an orientation and training session (one on one sessions available)
  • Enjoy working with the public

Current Volunteer Needs:

Volunteer Docents

Volunteer docents are needed to greet the public, provide guided tours, and be exhibit attendants. Our interpretive philosophy is to not only tell the facts about Mrs. Wilson’s life but to inspire others. Our story is one in which a small town girl rises above obstacles and does extraordinary things.

Duties: Volunteer duties include gallery sitting in the Museum, greeting visitors, providing guided tours and information about Edith Bolling Wilson. We train and orient our volunteers so no experience is needed other than an interest in Edith Bolling Wilson, Wytheville, or history-in-general.

Days and Hours: The Museum’s greatest need for docents is for Saturdays, but other days are available. There are two shifts available – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“Hard Hat” Tour Guides (April through October)

Duties: With the pre-renovation guided tours of Mrs. Wilson’s birthplace, the Museum seeks outgoing people who are interested in sharing the history of the building and the Bolling family with others. This is a great way to be involved in the renovation process of Mrs. Wilson’s birthplace. Tours do involve climbing a stairway up to the birthplace and providing a room by room program. This volunteer activity may also be combined with our volunteer docent program.

School Educational Programs

Duties:  Needs for the Museum’s school educational programs involve program development in accordance with SOL requirements and to conduct group tours.

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at info@edithbollingwilson.org or call 276-22-EDITH (276-223-3483).