Volunteering

Volunteer Opportunity of the Month Spend a Weekend in 1864 Norlands is hosting a Civil War Re-enactment on June 12 and 13 this year and we're looking for individuals and groups who'd like to be part of the team that makes our events so successful.  All volunteers will have time on their own to enjoy the many activities of the event.   We're looking to staff activities that include:  program and ticket preparation directing cars to the parking area (great for a girl/boy scout troop or veterans group) food service (during the day and for our Saturday evening bean supper) food preparation (the cornbread, gingerbread, cookies and other desserts ahead of time) "people movers" gift shop staff set up and take down. Want to know more?  Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Nancey Drinkwine, by phone at 897 4366, or by e-mail at volunteers@norlands.org

Other Current Volunteer Opportunities

• Tour Guides – for both Docent Tours and Living History Experience Tours
• Educational Programs – the school programs unique to Norlands
• Tour Group Presentations
• Textile Restoration
• Collections Management and Inventory
• Move Back into the Mansion
• Grounds and Minor Building Maintenance
• Interior Painting
• Restoring the original woodwork finish in the Big Kitchen
• Painting the walls in the Ell section of the mansion
• Civil War Re-enactment Weekend Event
• Participate by planning, staffing, or helping to create an exhibit about the Washburn's during the Civil War
• Administration/Office support
• Membership Recruitment
• Fundraising (or as Billie always said “Friendraising”)
• Phone Circle Group

What makes a great Norlands Volunteer?

The April 2008 fire at Norlands brought out the community in support of Norlands and its place in the Livermore , Androscoggin County and Maine communities. We heard from so many people who wanted to help to “do anything at all” and it was frustrating because immediately after the fire was too soon to put rebuilding projects in place.

Organizing and planning needed to happen; what are we going to build? When can we build it? What needs to be in place before we start? All questions we've been asking ourselves for almost a year.

Now we have some answers and it's time for us to respond to all the generous members of the community who want to see Norlands rebuild and re-thrive as it did when Billie Gammon “opened the doors” and invited everyone to join her in a celebration of life in 1870s rural Maine on the Washburn farm.

People volunteer for all kinds of reasons and some of them are:

• Making new friends
• Learning new skills
• Keeping alive the skills you do have by practicing or sharing them
• Making an impact
• Learning more about your community and your neighbors
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• An excuse to try something you've never done before
• Learn about yourself
• Feeling needed and important
• Feeling satisfaction at getting things done and helping others
• Fighting boredom
• Relieving stress
• Spending time doing something you really care about
• Feeling like you're part of the community
• Having fun

….and the reason given most often is that you can make a difference

As a part of the Norlands community you help us preserve a unique Maine treasure.

What will you chose to contribute?

Do you like to meet new people?
Become a docent or living history interpreter and assist visitors to the site.

Do you like to exercise your brain or solve puzzles? Create organization from chaos?
Join us in the care and stewardship of our amazing collection of Washburn artifacts.

Are you the type who likes to work outdoors?
Our grounds are beautiful year round when they receive the loving care they deserve.

Would you like to help spread the word about Norlands and the great things that go on here?
Share your love for Norlands by inviting others to contribute to something that means so much to you.

Are you skills related to traditional crafts?
Share those skills through teaching and demonstrating during our programs and special events.

Call us at 897 4366 or email volunteers@norlands.org to find out more.