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Scroll down to learn more about volunteer roles, benefits, and training. Festival of Houses and Gardens Volunteer Roles Docent: Briefly tell visitors about the history and decorative arts in the room to which you are assigned using materials provided by HCF. Garden Docent: Briefly tell visitors about the plants and design found in a specific garden using materials provided by HCF. Garden Docents are needed for all afternoon and evening tours, as well as for Glorious Gardens. Senior Docent: Call homeowners to arrange a pre-tour visit and coordinate volunteers at your site. Greet visitors as they arrive at your site on tour day. Give them an overview of the site’s history using materials provided by HCF. Street Marshal: Assist visitors with directions and information along tour routes. Marshals are needed for all tours, including Glorious Gardens. Senior Street Marshal: Coordinate Street Marshals before and during the tour. Reception Host/Hostess (Glorious Gardens and Hidden Gardens tours only): Pour wine and lemonade for visitors during the garden receptions. Spaces are extremely limited and will be assigned on a first-received basis.
Volunteer Benefits Landmarks Pass A temporary pass to numerous local historic sites will be mailed to you with your tour assignment confirmation in February. The Landmarks Pass will be valid from Friday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 21, 2012. 20% Discount at Foundation Shops Receive your discount from February 15 through April 30, 2012, using your Landmarks Pass as identification: The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation, 108 Meeting Street; the Nathaniel Russell House shop, 51 Meeting St.; and the Aiken-Rhett House shop, 48 Elizabeth St. Walking Tour of Historic District Sign up during one of the Volunteer Training and Assignment Distribution meetings (see information below) to take a complimentary guided walking tour of the Old and Historic District in March 2012. Annual Pass to HCF Museum Sites The Nathaniel Russell House, c.1808, and the Aiken-Rhett House, c.1818 A pass for you and a guest through February 2013 will be mailed to you after the festival. Spring Lecture Volunteers an invited to an educational and entertaining lecture each spring. Topics relate to the Festival of Houses and Gardens, and subjects have included history, architecture, decorative arts and garden design. Complimentary Festival Ticket HCF offers volunteers a free festival ticket good for any of the Festival of Houses and Gardens afternoon and evening house & garden tours, including Glorious Gardens and Hidden Gardens. Free tickets are not available for Plantation Oyster Roast, Harbor Cruises, musical events, Morning History Walks, Luncheon Lectures, the Eat and Run series, Charleston International Antiques Show events, or other special events. You must volunteer for both dates of one tour to qualify for a free ticket. You will receive one free ticket for every tour (two dates) you work.
Benefits for Senior Positions Senior docents and senior street marshals will receive two complimentary festival tickets for working both dates of one tour! In addition, receive an invitation to a reception at the CSOL Designer Showhouse.
Volunteer Training & Assignment Distribution All first-time volunteers should plan to attend a one-hour training session. ALL volunteers are invited and encouraged to attend a training session. February/March 2012: specific dates to be announced
Museum VolunteersVolunteer docent (guide) positions occasionally open at our two house museums, the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House. If you are looking for an ongoing, year-round volunteer opportunity, contact the House Administrator at (843) 724-8482 for more information. |
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he staff and trustees of Historic Charleston Foundation are
grateful to the more than 650 enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who support the Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Foundation’s
largest fundraising effort, each year. The 65th Festival of Houses and Gardens will take place from March 22 to April 21, 2012. This event provides both visitors
and volunteers with the rare opportunity to explore the private gardens and interiors of some of the finest residences in America, and proceeds
support HCF’s preservation programs.| © 2012 Historic Charleston Foundation | 40 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401 843-723-1623 |