Volunteer

Volunteers are vital to the operations and growth of the Lee-Fendall House.  Quite simply, the house would not be able to operate at the level it does without our dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers help out in a variety of areas, from welcoming guests and giving tours to performing behind the scenes research and helping care for the house and grounds.

To begin volunteering at the Lee-Fendall House please submit a Volunteer Application or schedule an appointment with our volunteer manager to learn more about our volunteer opportunities. Email jenny.waters@leefendallhouse.org.

The museum is currently seeking volunteers in the following areas:

Docent Volunteers/ Tour Guides

The Lee-Fendall House Museum seeks volunteer docents to guide visitors through this historic Lee Family home. Volunteers will interpret the history of the house and its inhabitants from 1785 through 1975 during guided tours. Training materials on the  house’s history are provided.  In addition to our regular tour, we have a variety of specialty tours and programs that docents may be able to assist with.  Veteran tour guides may also present some of our walking tour programs.

Docents are vital to the operation of the Lee-Fendall House.  They are the primary point of contact with our guests and are key in shaping positive visitor experiences.

We are seeking individuals who are willing to make a minimum commitment of four months of service.  Docent volunteers are expected to volunteer a minimum of six hours (either one full day or two half-days) each month after an initial training period. Docents are also requested to help with museum special events.

Previous experience and prior subject knowledge is beneficial but not required . . . only a love of history and a desire to become involved in the Alexandria community!

Collections Research Volunteers

The Collections Research Volunteer performs research on specific collections objects at the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden in support of its mission of preserving, maintaining, and interpreting the museum and its collection.  Experience in historical research or art history research is required.

Collections volunteers may work a flexible schedule, and it is expected that their research duties may take them offsite to other research facilities.  They may also be able to perform some basic research and write reports from home.

Expected time commitment is 6-8 hours per month.

Gardening, Grounds, and Maintenance Volunteers

The Lee-Fendall Museum is seeking volunteers to assist with the care and upkeep of its ½ acre garden and grounds.  The garden is an important part of the museum’s rental, program, and events space.  Volunteers have the opportunity to work outdoors and care for plants on their own schedule.  Some prior gardening experience and knowledge is preferred.  Routine duties include mowing, watering, raking leaves, trimming bushes, and tending flower beds.  Work is available year round, as snow shoveling is needed during the winter.  Special work days are scheduled periodically to tackle large projects.

The museum is also seeking individuals interested in performing a variety of repair and upkeep duties, from routine housekeeping to major facilities projects.

Benefits

All volunteers receive the following benefits:

  • free parking
  • 10% discount on gift shop purchases
  • free admission to the Lee-Fendall House and other participating regional historic sites

Volunteer Requirements

The Lee-Fendall House accepts volunteers of all ages, but volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

 

Our Volunteer Partners

The Lee-Fendall House would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Junior League of Washington for the invaluable assistance they provide in furnishing volunteer assistance for many of the museums functions and day-to-day activities.  The JLW provides up to three junior placement volunteers annually who support the museum’s daily operations.  In addition, the JLW provides additional assistance upon request for many of the museum’s larger programs, such as our annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween programs, and Holiday Candlelight Tours.

For more information on how the Junior League of Washington supports the local community, visit their website.