Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
Avoca Museum and Historical Society is currently seeking interns and volunteers to assist in a variety of tasks at the museum. We have several different opportunities. If any of these areas interest you, please contact Executive Director Caleb Lafoon at: director@avocamuseum.org.
Avoca is a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places because the property is the home site of Colonel Charles Lynch (1736-1796), a colonial planter and who distinguished himself as lawmaker and soldier during the turbulent Revolutionary Era. Additionally, the museum grounds are the site of an ancient Native American civilization and the site holds significant Civil War, Gilded Age, and architectural history. Avoca Museum has a diversity of culturally inspiring volunteer opportunities available:
Please consider giving to Avoca Museum, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. 100% of the contributions you make will stay with the museum and make it possible for the Altavista area to have this wonderful community resource. Donations are tax deductible and gifts made before the end of the year are deductible on your taxes.
Your gift entitles you to museum membership. In a time where many small museums are closing their doors, Avoca is expanding and thriving. This museum could not remain viable without the support of its loyal members.
Your support of Avoca provides you, our valued member, with several excellent benefits. Among these are free admission throughout the year, 10% discounts on site rentals and Gift Shop merchandise and invitations to special members-only events such as the Members’ Picnic and Members’ Christmas Party. Donations to Avoca Museum are tax-deductible as the museum is a 501( c )(3) entity.
Love history?
Help us preserve it!
Individual Membership
$40.00
Every year
Couple Membership (2)
$75.00
Every year
Family Membership (4)
$125.00
Every year
Bronze Membership
$150.00
Every year
Avoca Membership
$250.00
Every year
Silver Membership
$500.00
Every year
Gold Membership
$750.00
Every year
Platinum Membership
$1,000.00
Every year
Avoca Museum and Historical Society is looking for Corporate and Small Business community sponsors for the 2023 year. Sponsorships allow Avoca to provide quality education, events and historic preservation in the Central Virginia region.
In 2023, Avoca desires to expand significantly its historic, educational, civic and private ventures in order to futher enrich the Central Virginia area. It is our duty as a cultural anchor to both provide high quality community events and preserve the significant Native American, American Revolutionary, Civil War, African American and Victorian history of this region. This year we have set the bar high for what we hope to achieve. We are preparing a significant number of new events to serve the community, preparing to begin restoring two outbuilding, which will be made into exhibits and break ground on a new and much needed storage building.
Sponsorships
Opportunities
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 1PM-6PM
Docents
Docents conduct guided tours of the Museum for groups of students and adults. Utilizing the techniques of dialogue and inquiry, role play and storytelling, the docent encourages students to explore Avoca Museum and the grounds. The programs may explore topics such local Native American life, colonial life, Col. Charles Lynch and his legacy, the American Civil War, and the Victorian era and customs. Docents assist in the development of educational programs and conduct special activities for students, adults and families.
Hours: varied depending on the event times.
Historical Reenactors
Reenactors are needed for a variety of events and field trips at the museum. This work entails dressing up in period costume and completing a script for various field trips and historical events held at Avoca Museum. With so many different colorful individuals in Avoca’s history these roles are varied and interesting. This role will be under the Executive Director or the Events Coordinator.
Hours: Flexible, Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM
Research & Collection
While much of the story at Avoca has been uncovered, there are large gaps in its history where little is known. We hope to uncover and document this lost history. In particular, we are hoping to discover more about Charles Lynch’s freed slaves and their life trajectory once they were manumitted. This will require searching through public records, interviewing descendants, examining old documents and letters, some of which are at the estate. This role will be under the Executive Director.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-6PM
Documenting & Digitizing
In this area you will assist in the preparation of documentation for changing exhibits, digitizing collection records, scanning files, image manipulation, file re-naming, and organizing. Once the data has been collected it will require entry into electronic records and archive files. This may include, organizing and archiving files, research projects pertaining to donors, grants and records as they arise. Additionally, it will also require a willingness to upload any relevant historical documents onto the Museum website. This role will be under the direction of the Executive Director.
Hours: Flexible, Thursday-Friday 9AM-6PM
Community Events & Marketing
Avoca hosts many public event and will continue to do so this coming year with the hope of engaging more with the community. In this role you will assist in event planning in preparing for historically based community events and helping to promote those events by different marketing mediums. This may include events for holidays or educational events where Avoca will host K12 field trips. This role will be under the Events Coordinator.
Hours: TBD
Grounds & Gardening
Maintaining the historical grounds including the garden and arboretum is essential in preserving the estate. We desire to maintain the high standards of the property in preserving native trees, landscapes, shrubs, groundcovers and perennials. This role will be under the direction of a master gardener or other key volunteer. Hours: will be determined by the availability of a gardening expert and may change due to weather.
We’d love to hear from you.
Employment Opportunities
Avoca Museum and Historical Society is currently seeking an Outreach & Special Programs Coordinator and Museum Curator. If any of these areas interest you, please contact Executive Director Caleb Lafoon with your resume and cover letter at: director@avocamuseum.org.
Avoca is a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places because the property is the home site of Colonel Charles Lynch (1736-1796), a colonial planter and who distinguished himself as lawmaker and soldier during the turbulent Revolutionary Era. Additionally, the museum grounds are the site of an ancient Native American civilization and the site holds significant Civil War, Gilded Age, and architectural history.
Special thanks…
Avoca Museum would like to thank our generous annual sponsors!
