Opportunities From: Volunteer River Counties

Love history? Love meeting people? Become a Docent at Historic Christ Church & Museum on Saturdays and Sundays

Step into one of America’s great historic places and help bring its stories to life. Historic Christ Church—completed in 1735 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark—is an architectural treasure, a window into colonial Virginia, and a powerful reflection of the Carter family and the community that gathered here.

As a volunteer docent, you’ll welcome visitors, lead engaging tours of the church and grounds, and help guests discover the remarkable craftsmanship, history, and people connected to this extraordinary site. Whether visitors are lifelong history lovers or seeing Christ Church for the first time, you can make their experience memorable.

Docents enjoy:
▪ Sharing fascinating stories with visitors from near and far.
▪ Learning more about colonial history, Christ Church, and the Carter family.
▪ Connecting with fellow volunteers who enjoy history, community, and lifelong learning.
▪ Flexible weekday and weekend scheduling during the April–November season.

No expert knowledge required—just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love of history! Training, The Red Book: A Guide to Historic Christ Church, tour talking points, shadowing opportunities, lectures, field trips, and other learning options are provided.

Time commitment: At least two 3-hour shifts per month during the April–November season.
Location: Historic Christ Church & Museum, on site at HCC&M.

If you enjoy talking with people, sharing stories, and helping preserve an unforgettable landmark, we’d love to have you join the docent team!

Inspire the Next Generation: Become a School Group Docent!

Do you want to combine your passion for teaching with your love of history? Historic Christ Church & Museum is looking for enthusiastic docents to bring the past to life for young minds! Work alongside a community of history lovers and help students in grades 1-12 discover how the story of Historic Christ Church connects directly to the broader history of Virginia.

Your Role

Lead Interactive Learning: Engage students through fun, hands-on activities at different stations across our beautiful campus. Teach Creatively: Use age-appropriate content and dynamic teaching methods tailored to different grade levels. Support Family Events: Participate in lively, family-oriented activity days to teach the wider public about colonial Virginia.

Qualifications & Time Commitment

Youth-Focused: You enjoy working with young people and share an interest in colonial and HCC&M history. The Right Mindset: An educational background is helpful, but patience and a sense of humor are much more important! Flexible School-Year Hours: Grade school programs run for about 3 hours in the mornings during the school year. Special Summer Programs: High school and university students visit for special summer programs lasting 3 to 4 hours. Preparation time varies by your experience!

Training & Support Provided

Join our highly encouraged 3-day Spring Training sessions in March or early April. Built-in Guidance: We provide full lesson plans and the opportunity to shadow experienced docents during training. Continuous Mentorship: Receive ongoing support and direction directly from our Education Committee Chair and Executive Director.

Ready to Make History Fun?

Join our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of historians!

 

So, you love learning about local history, but have you ever had the chance to read original documents from the colonial era or tried your hand at genealogy? Would you like to contribute to ongoing research on the history of Christ Church Parish, its churches, and parishioners?

Become a researcher at Historic Christ Church & Museum, where you can explore and work on the genealogical database of the Carter families, among other volunteer responsibilities. 

Qualifications: 

Love of history and scholarship, as well as knowledge of basic research skills.Interest in and enthusiasm for the colonial period.Oral history and computer skills are helpful. 

Responsibilities: 

Conduct research related to the colonial period, either independently or with others.Support HCC&M’s education efforts and the inquiries of other scholars and the public.Keep up with current trends in research and update the Carter genealogy database as needed. 

Time Commitment:

Flexible schedule for conducting research projects, as long as deadlines are met.Monthly committee meetings (90 minutes), February thru October.Work from home, HCC&M Research Library, and other sites and libraries, as needed.

Training and Support:

Spring Update & Training is strongly encouraged (3 days in March or early April).Additional resources include mentoring by experienced researchers.

Be the Welcoming Face of HCC&M and be a Volunteer Ambassador!

Are you outgoing and love history? Historic Christ Church & Museum (HCC&M) is seeking enthusiastic Volunteer Receptionists to greet visitors from across the globe. As our first point of contact, you will set the stage for an unforgettable historical experience!

Your Role

Greet & Guide: Staff the Reception Center desk, answer questions, and explain tour options. Support Sales: Process admission fees and sell unique Gift Shop merchandise. Manage Tech: Handle simple cash, check, and credit transactions on a digital system.

Qualifications & Time Commitment

Friendly & Outgoing: Comfortable interacting with the public and eager to learn HCC&M history. Minimal Hours: Just 6 hours per month (two 3-hour shifts) from April through November.Weekday and Weekend Shifts Available On-Site Location: Serve on our beautiful historic grounds in Weems, Virginia.

Training & Perks

Full Support: Receive comprehensive system training and get paired with an experienced volunteer "buddy." Spring Prep: Join our highly encouraged Spring Update & Training days in March or early April. Exclusive Benefits: Connect with global travelers, build local friendships, and enjoy volunteer educational perks.

Do you love costume dramas and period fashion? Would you enjoy mending a waistcoat, trimming a hat, or putting together an historically appropriate outfit for a costumed interpreter? Here is your opportunity to learn about colonial history and period costumes while supporting Historic Christ Church & Museum!

Qualifications:

Creative interest in working with colonial-era garments.Basic mending and sewing skills; advanced expertise is welcome.

Responsibilities:

Ensure costumes are historically appropriate, clean and in good condition.Occasionally create a new costume, as needed.

Time Commitment:

Individuals work on costumes as needed during the spring and summer.Time frame varies, from 1 hour to several hours, depending on your choice of tasks and availability.

Training and Support:

Spring Update & Training is strongly encouraged (3 days in March or early April).Costume committee members work closely with Group Tours committee.

For more information, visit ChristChurch1735.org, email info@ChristChurch1735.org  or call (804) 438-6855.

Calling Party People! Are you everyone's favorite host? Love organizing parties and setting up a beautiful spread of food and drink? If you enjoy contributing to the success of a special event from behind the scenes or as a host, here is your opportunity to support Historic Christ Church & Museum!

Qualifications:

A love of planning special events and possibly cooking or meal planning. Organizational skills for coordinating and communicating with team members. Ability to deliver, set up, and/or serve food and beverages at special events.

Responsibilities:

Provide homemade or store-bought food for HCC events throughout the year. Deliver food and arrange it attractively before the event. Identify beverage servers as required and flower arrangers when desired. Plan appropriate menus and amounts of food. Make sure the Bayne Center kitchen is clean after each event, and all items are stored appropriately.

Time Commitment:

Typically 8-10 events per year; help when you can; not all volunteers are needed for all events. Set-up and cleanup are 1-3 hours each for each event total.

Training and Support:

Spring Update & Training is strongly encouraged to meet fellow volunteers and learn about HCC and its history (3 days in March or early April). The hospitality committee chair coordinates each event with HCC office manager and other hospitality committee members.

Step Into History at HCC!

Love history? Enjoy meeting people? HCC is looking for energetic volunteers to serve as costumed docents and greeters for tours and special events.

Help bring the 18th century to life as you welcome visitors, answer questions, and lead or assist with group tours—all while wearing period-style clothing provided by HCC. Costumes are part of the fun and we have a full closet of 18th-century attire to choose from!

You’ll be a great fit if you:

Love history and enjoy learning.Like talking with visitors and groups.Are willing to wear 18th-century style clothing during tours and events.Can adapt your welcome or tour to different groups.

You’ll help by:

Greeting visitors with warmth and enthusiasm.Leading or assisting with scheduled group tours.Answering questions in the museum, church, and grounds.Adding a lively, authentic touch to HCC events.

Training and support provided: tour notes, The Red Book, shadowing opportunities, and Spring Update & Training.

Schedule: Tours and events are scheduled as needed during the April–November season.

Dress the part. Share the story. Help history come alive at HCC!

Help spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of history!
Do you enjoy imagining new ways to bring the past to life? Historic Christ Church & Museum is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help shape exciting educational opportunities for volunteers, students, families, and lifelong learners. Join a creative team that develops programs, themes, speakers, field trips, hands-on experiences, and community learning opportunities inspired by colonial history.

This is a great fit if you:

Love colonial-period history and enjoy sharing it with others.Like brainstorming, planning, and developing engaging programs.Care about creating learning experiences for different ages, interests, and learning styles.Want to make a meaningful impact on HCC&M’s educational programming.

Ways you can help:

Work with staff to develop annual themes, speakers, and field trips.Help coordinate the Spring Update as a training and refresher experience for volunteers.Support programs such as Hands-on-History Camp for children and the Readers group for adults.Dream up fresh ideas that make HCC&M’s history accessible, memorable, and fun.

Time commitment:

Average of 1-2 hours per month with more time needed as programs approach. Bi-monthly or monthly Education Committee meetings (2 hours), as needed.

You’ll have support every step of the way:

Spring Update & Training is strongly encouraged (3 days in March or early April). Ongoing guidance and support provided by the Education Committee Chair and staff. Individual committee members matched with projects based on skills and interests.

Bring your ideas, energy, and love of learning—we’ll help you turn them into experiences that inspire!

For more information, visit ChristChurch1735.org, email info@ChristChurch1735.org or call (804) 438-6855.

Love history? Love meeting people? Become a Docent at Historic Christ Church & Museum!

Step into one of America’s great historic places and help bring its stories to life. Historic Christ Church—completed in 1735 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark—is an architectural treasure, a window into colonial Virginia, and a powerful reflection of the Carter family and the community that gathered here.

As a volunteer docent, you’ll welcome visitors, lead engaging tours of the church and grounds, and help guests discover the remarkable craftsmanship, history, and people connected to this extraordinary site. Whether visitors are lifelong history lovers or seeing Christ Church for the first time, you can make their experience memorable.

Docents enjoy:

Sharing fascinating stories with visitors from near and far. Learning more about colonial history, Christ Church, and the Carter family. Connecting with fellow volunteers who enjoy history, community, and lifelong learning. Flexible weekday and weekend scheduling during the April–November season. No expert knowledge required—just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love of history! Training, The Red Book: A Guide to Historic Christ Church, tour talking points, shadowing opportunities, lectures, field trips, and other learning options are provided.

Time commitment: At least two 3-hour shifts per month during the April–November season.

If you enjoy talking with people, sharing stories, and helping preserve an unforgettable landmark, we’d love to have you join the docent team!