Donate

Volunteers

Volunteer Tour Guide of Historic House

Job Description

The unpaid volunteer will work as a Docent for Historic Home and Birthplace of one of America’s great poets, Walt Whitman. At this historic site, you will walk in the footsteps of America’s famous poet, Walt Whitman, who was born in our farmhouse on May 31, 1819, and lived here until he was four years old. Built by his father circa 1810, the farmhouse is an excellent example of native Long Island craftsmanship, and it is now a museum.

The Whitman Birthplace has been a New York State Historic Site and museum since 1957 and is the only Long Island Historic Site to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1985). The buildings on the site are owned by New York State and Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA) manages the buildings and operates all programs. We are open year-round, and we attract over 16,000 visitors annually from all over the world. This is a wonderful opportunity for people who are interested in history, literature, poetry, and historic sites.

Responsibilities

  • Learn the history of the Birthplace and the poet Walt Whitman.
  • Greet visitors in the modern Interpretive Center (IC) and ring them up at the register
  • Showcase the exhibit in the IC, show the Biography video and Whitman’s voice
  • Give a guided tour of the historic birthplace and its grounds through a lecture and conversation with the visitors.
  • Tours last approximately 45 minutes.
  • You must be able to climb the stairs of a two-story house, as the Birthplace is two floors.
  • Ringing up visitors on the cash register.
  • Be sociable, an engaging speaker, and convey an interest in the subject matter.
  • No prior experience required, but enthusiasm and reliability are musts!

Schedule

  • One or two days per week – weekend availability is a must.
  • Flexible schedule.
  • Arrive fifteen minutes early to prepare for visitors.
  • Docents may also assist with events which take place during the day or evening.
Apply

Other Unpaid Volunteer Positions

  • Event Assistant — Support evening or weekend events by greeting guests, ringing up admission and book sales, and setting up food.
  • Gardening Assistant — Gardening assistance is needed for site garden and lawn upkeep. Flexible scheduling.
  • Tea Party Assistant — Set up food and beverages. Assist with clean up, including food, dishes, and kitchen.

For information on how to volunteer at the Birthplace, contact administrator@waltwhitman.org or call 631-427-5240 ext 114.