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 as a Junior Preservationist
Our Junior Preservationists work with historic preservation staff and other volunteers doing many of the same work performed by adult volunteers. You can learn more about how historic sites are run, how artifacts are cared for, and maybe tackle a special project suitable to your age range. You can also assist with special events, summer camps, education programs, and the daily operations of Rippon Lodge.
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. JPs can help other garden volunteers and staff with watering, weeding, or planting.
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! If you are sixteen or older, site staff will help you learn Rippon's history to prepare your own guided tours of the historic site for regular hours or special events.
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.
For Junior Preservationists, volunteers 13 to 15 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while volunteering. When applying, please let us know of any service hour requirements or accommodations you might need while volunteering.
