National Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation week and with over 70 programs and tours offered each year, it is no surprise that volunteers are an essential part of Historic Columbia. There are close to 100 volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to HC and they are an essential part of what we do every day.

The most visible volunteers are our Interpretive Guides, who lead tours of the house museums, walking and driving tours and education programs. These individuals spend countless hours learning detailed tour materials, proper interpretation techniques and various forms of continuing education. They are the face of HC to many of our guests and we truly wouldn’t be the same without them.

Garden volunteers are a dedicated bunch, meeting twice a week to plant, prune, and weed our 14 acres of grounds. While some are master gardeners, others just have a love of plants or enjoy getting out in the sun for some comradery and physical activity. No matter what, they are all dedicated to keeping our grounds looking beautiful year-round. Of course, our house museums and collections need an enormous amount of regular care too, and our Cultural Resources volunteers are always there to lend a hand. Whether its dusting around delicate antiques, scanning historic photos or decorating for the holidays, their tireless energy is the reason our houses are always looking their best!

If you’ve ever attended one of our fun, fabulous and informative programs, you’ve certainly experienced the hospitality and enthusiasm of our volunteers. No matter if it’s a costumed witch handing out candy at Trunk or Treat, or a flapper at the Speakeasy Happy Hour, these volunteers keep the energy up and the drinks flowing.

Many of our biggest events, such as Bluegrass, Bidding and BBQ and the Mid-Century Modern tour of houses, the Pallidum volunteers are key to some of our biggest fundraising efforts. This group of spirited professionals are always there to lend a hand and keep our programs fresh and innovative.

Finally, HC wouldn’t have the guidance, support and recognition it has achieved without dedicated leadership at the board and committee level. These individuals lend their time and expertise to the governance of the organization, ensure we’re adhering to our mission and support us as we explore new and challenging initiatives.

Overall, volunteers are essential to all that we do at Historic Columbia and we are forever grateful for their contributions. We’re always looking for new additions to our volunteer team, to learn more about getting involved, contact Betsy Kleinfelder at bkleinfelder@historiccolumbia.org.