At the start of each new year, many resolve to manage their time more efficiently, exercise more and eat better. What’s on your resolution list? Consider adding “volunteer in the community” to that list of resolutions…and contact Heritage Farmstead Museum to learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities that can fit any schedule and experience level.

Heritage Farmstead Museum is a four-acre historic site consisting of a restored, 14-room 1891 Victorian farmhouse with its original outbuildings. The museum interprets rural life on the North Texas prairie between 1890 and 1925 and provides tours and programs for 35,000 visitors each year. Heritage Farmstead Museum operates primarily through the support of volunteers.

The museum is currently seeking educational tour docents for both adult tour groups and student tour groups, volunteers to assist with clerical duties and farm duties, and much more.

“Volunteering at Heritage Farmstead Museum is a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the world and to assist a vital growing organization,” said Heritage Farmstead Museum Executive Director M'Lou Hyttinen. “We have a variety of opportunities available to fit any schedule. Whether you are a mom of preschool-aged children looking to fill a few hours of the day, a working professional or happily retired, we would love to add you to our volunteer team!”

Heritage Farmstead volunteer opportunities include:

• Docent/ Public Tour Guides: Docents are: working as tour guides, helpers and educators, docents undergo training on local Plano history, turn-of-the-century Texas history, farm and family life. Docents give guided public tours of the Farmstead’s Farrell-Wilson House and grounds that are held once a day Tuesday-Sunday. Guides must enjoy being around people, teaching history, and enjoy the outdoors.
• School Programs Docents: These docents assist with the public programming for school tours August through May. Guides must enjoy being around children, teaching history and enjoy the outdoors.
• Garden Maintenance: A kitchen garden and several flower gardens are throughout the Farmstead grounds. Help is always needed with maintaining these areas of the Farmstead.
• Craft Group: The Heritage Farmstead Craft Group meets every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Young House to make handmade items that are sold in the museum’s store. The Craft Group also provides social opportunities and programs four or five times a year. No training necessary. Adults only.

Anyone interested in served at the museum must complete a volunteer application. Applicants may also be required to pass a criminal background check.

For more information about volunteering at Heritage Farmstead Museum, please email volunteer@heritagefarmstead.org or call 972.881.0140.

About The Heritage Farmstead Museum:

The Heritage Farmstead Museum, a four-acre historic site consisting of a restored, 14-room 1891 Victorian farmhouse with its original outbuildings, interprets rural life on the North Texas prairie between 1890 and 1925. The museum provides tours, field trips and programs for 35,000 visitors each year.  For more information, call 972.881.0140 or visit www.heritagefarmstead.org.