VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Western North Carolina Historical Association depends on individuals to help keep our nonprofit organization vital. There are many exciting volunteer opportunities to choose from at Smith-McDowell House, Biltmore School, or with the Association. Group activities are also available. In many cases, we provide training. For additional information, contact our staff at 828-253-9231 or smh@wnchistory.org.
Smith-McDowell House
Museum Educator
Present programs to school groups or with our Hands-On-History Summer Camp. Conduct research and help develop new programs or teacher's curriculum guides. Help make teaching traveling trunks. Visit a school to present a program or teach at the Museum. Must be available during school and daytime hours. Training provided for school group programs.
Museum Guide
Greet visitors to Smith-McDowell House Museum and answer questions as they take a self-guided tour of the Museum. Work with group tours and special guided tours. Weekday and weekend hours available. Training provided.
Grounds
Help restore and maintain our 1.5-acre grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1900. Adopt a garden for the growing season. Help with general yard care, such as raking, weeding, watering, and pruning or serve on a committee that helps direct grounds' restoration activities. Weekday and weekend hours available. Most tools are provided by the Museum.
Museum Intern
Many museum professionals began their careers as a museum volunteer. An internship provides a unique learning experience for high school and college students. Get an overview of employment opportunities in the museum profession while building your resume. Internships are available with focuses on education, collection care, marketing and visitor services, exhibitions, grounds' restoration, research, or general museum work. College credit is frequently available. Both weekday and weekend hours available. Training provided. Collections - Help catalog the museum's permanent collection. Create records for a computerized collection database. Conduct inventories of collection objects. Perform needed conservation work. Some training provided, but related experience preferred. Exhibitions - Conduct research for special or permanent exhibits. Help create and install exhibits. Perform routine maintenance on museum's exhibitions. Help install season changes to our period rooms, including decorating for our Victorian Christmas Celebration. Special Events - Coordinate special events such as receptions, teas, or lectures. Organize refreshments and marketing. Research and recommend new events. Oversee the museum during rental events. Times vary, pending on need.
Maintenance
Help preserve our circa 1840 historic house. Clean gutters, paint walls and woodwork, polish floors, clean glass, sweep porches and patios. Repair plaster or install caulking around windows and doors. Weekday and weekend hours available.
Clerical
Help process memberships and prepare thank you letters. Coordinate membership drives. Fold and label newsletters and press releases. Make copies and answer the telephone. Computer or typing skills helpful.
Marketing & Publicity
Develop press releases for events and exhibits. Edit our newsletter. Design brochures. Write text for membership drive letters, brochures, and our web page. Experience with related activities preferred.
Researcher
Help conduct research about early life in Western North Carolina. Track down wills, census records, and deeds related to Smith-McDowell House's history and for special exhibits. Help expand our “ready reference” file.
Western North Carolina Historical Association
Board of Trustees
Serve on the 17-person Board that oversees all activities of the Historical Association. Board members must be a member of the Association and are elected at an Annual meeting in October. The Board of Trustees meets monthly.
Awards Committee
Coordinates the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and the WNCHA Outstanding Achievement Award. Prepares promotional materials and recommends mailing lists. Reviews nominations and recommends winners to the WNCHA Board of Trustees. Expertise in either history or literature is suggested due to the nature of the Wolfe Award.
Web Page
Our web page is made possible through the efforts of volunteers. If you know how to make it better, let us know.