What is Rippon Lodge?
Historic Preservation volunteers are an important part of making each site the best experience for the public! It’s also a great way to exercise your passion for history. Rippon Lodge was built about 1747 at the heart of a colonial tobacco plantation worked by enslaved labor and has been witness to the county’s evolution all the way to the present day. Host to American Revolutionaries, presidents, Antarctic explorers, and namesake to many area locations, Rippon is at the heart of eastern Prince William County history.
What You Can Do
Rippon can use your help for a variety of activities. From spring to fall, the site has substantial ornamental gardens including 1920s flower beds, shrubs, herbs, and a large representative kitchen garden of crops grown through the years. Whether you know a lot about planting and design or are interested in pitching in to weed and water, Rippon will give you a place to express your love of plants.
Becoming an interpretive guide is a very people-focused visitor opportunity! If you’re passionate about history and really like to share it with folks, this will be a rewarding position! Working with site staff, you will conduct guided tours of the historic site during special events or on regularly scheduled tour days. Guides can also help staff with activities like field trips, special tours, or other events throughout the year.
If you have any skills or interests you think would be a good fit for Rippon that we didn’t mention, feel free to mention them when you apply! We’re happy to find something that suits your abilities and needs as best we can.
What to Expect After You Apply
Once your
background check clears, you should expect an email from the division volunteer
coordinator with a more detailed interests and availability form. Depending on the season and site needs, there
may not be volunteer hours immediately available.
If you have any requirements for service hours or have any accommodations for volunteering, please let us know when you apply.
This listing is for adult volunteers only. If you are under the age of 18, please check out the Junior Preservationist listing here.
