Help us make history by volunteering.
Atlanta History Center has many areas available for volunteers to work with the public or behind-the-scenes, from special events to maintaining beautiful gardens to helping lead tours through our historic houses and exhibitions. If you are interested in our volunteer program, please view the details below:
For more information, please email volunteerservices@atlantahistorycenter.com.
We are now accepting applications to the Youth Ambassador and Junior Interpreter youth volunteer programs!
Applications will be accepted until April 15th at 5:00pm. Both programs will function in a hybrid capacity, with most meetings being held virtually and some on-site volunteer experiences. If you have any questions, please email volunteerservices@atlantahistorycenter.com or jfirestone@atlantahistorycenter.com
Youth. Ambassadors.
The Youth Ambassador Program is a unique “education through service” program designed to attract a dynamic service-oriented group of young people who have an interest in helping Atlanta History Center and engaging their community. Youth Ambassadors will gain experience in historic houses, administration, guest services, curation, public history programs, and much more. The program is open to 9–12th grade students (ages 15–19). The program runs a full year from April to April. Students commit to one school year; a minimum of 50 volunteer hours through community outreach opportunities and AHC events. The mission of the Youth Ambassadors is to connect people, culture, and history by expanding historical knowledge, promoting discussion, and engaging Atlanta’s youth.
Junior. Interpreters.
Junior Interpreters assist with the implementation of living history interpretation and related activities during daily operations and programs at the historic houses. Junior Interpreters should be comfortable with public speaking, interacting with the public, be outgoing, flexible, and eager to learn. During May through September, the Junior Interpreters spend two days a month at the historic houses and present informative content to varied audiences using interpretive techniques that they will be trained. During the months of October through March, Junior Interpreters spend one day a month at the historic houses and also commit time to a research project on a historical topic of their choice. Throughout this time Junior Interpreters are taught best research practices and presentation methods. There is a final presentation date at the end of March for Junior Interpreters to share their research with staff, friends, and family.
Summer Camp. Junior Counselors.
Due to COVID, we will not have Junior Camp Counselors this summer and are not accepting applications.
Our Summer Camp Junior Counselor program gives students, ages 13–18, the opportunity to assist experienced camp counselors with our History Camps at our main campus in Buckhead. This program also allows students, ages 16–18, the opportunity to assist experienced camp counselors with our Writing Camps at our Midtown campus. Students will help with day-to-day operations, including preparing snacks, setting up activities, and assisting with games, and have a chance to work with Atlanta History Center’s education staff to create a fun environment for young campers.
COVID-19. Update.
All volunteer opportunities are currently remote in nature. This includes our youth volunteer programs (Youth Ambassadors, Junior Interpreters) and our adult volunteer program. We will slowly begin to incorporate on-site volunteerism back into our offerings as they become safe and the volunteers feel comfortable doing so. We understand these times are unprecedented are dedicated to being flexible to ensure volunteers have the bet experience possible. If you have any additional questions about volunteerism (youth or adult) amid COVID, please feel free to reach out and we will gladly assist: jhogan-yarbro@atlantahistorycenter.com
Volunteer. FAQ.
- Submit Application
- Form Review: A volunteer coordinator will review your application form. You will be contacted by email (or phone if you prefer) within a week to schedule an information session.
- Information Session: Volunteer Services Information Sessions are scheduled every other month to help potential volunteers learn more about our volunteer program. Information Sessions introduce applicants to the structure of our program, current and future openings, if any, and the type of volunteer service we need. Information sessions last between 1-2 hours and feature group interviews with our volunteer coordinator to help determine if applicants are a good match for our volunteer program.
- Phone Interview: If you are still interested in continuing with the application process after attending an information session, you are encouraged to reach out to the volunteer coordinator to set up a brief phone interview. This is a great opportunity to discuss in more detail your goals for volunteering, your availability, and what training looks like for specific roles in which you are interested.
- Online Onboarding and matching: If Volunteer Services determines an applicant will be a good match for our program, an email will be sent with information on completing the onboarding process. The onboarding process requires a background check and written compliance with our waiver of liability. While we cannot guarantee an open position immediately, we will begin to help familiarize you with staff and departments so that when a position becomes available, you will be ready to go!
- Orientation and Training: The type of orientation you receive is determined by the department and role in which you are assigned. It typically consists of touring the department, meeting staff and other volunteers, shadowing, etc. Generally, training takes a few weeks.
- ID Badge/Parking: Each volunteer is provided a temporary badge to be worn each time they volunteer (including during training). After orientation and training has been completed, volunteer services will help you set up a time to meet with security to obtain a permanent ID badge, and depending on your role, an access card. Parking is free in the parking deck.
- Volunteer!
Time commitment is determined by your direct supervisor and the department for which you volunteer. To be considered “active” you will need to have volunteered within the past 6 months. If you have not volunteered and have not contacted volunteer services within this time frame, you will be transitioned to “inactive” status. Inactive means that you will be taken off the email listserv, and will not be able to sign up for opportunities. To be re-activated, you must contact volunteer services directly.
The minimum age to volunteer for the general volunteer program is 13 years of age.
Volunteers adhere to a business casual dress code unless otherwise stated. Volunteer badges must be worn at all times during your scheduled shift.
Applicants who are interested in volunteering for a short time only will be accepted on a case by case basis.
By all means! The group leader will need to fill out the online application form, and include details regarding the group’s volunteering goals and availability in the notes section. We can offer a tailored information session and training to fit your needs.
We typically reserve shadowing experiences for interns or those planning to apply for an internship, and then it is subject to staff availability. We can typically allow for 2-4 hours for a shadowing experience.
Applications are stored for 1 month after they are submitted, unless you have responded to our email detailing upcoming information sessions or have extenuating circumstances (i.e. you will be moving to Atlanta in 3 months).
Because most of our opportunities require training and a background knowledge of our organization, acceptance for court ordered applicants is rare and will be determined on a case by case basis. We are happy to recommend other volunteer sites that might be a better fit.
Yes, by all means! We will work with you to explore opportunities in other departments.
For more information, please email volunteerservices@atlantahistorycenter.com.
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Museum Studies Certificate
The University of West Georgia and the Atlanta History Center partner to offer an exciting graduate-level Museum Studies Certificate program.
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