Volunteer

Love history? Passionate about gardening? Volunteering at Rockwood Park may be for you! To inquire about volunteering at Rockwood contact Loretta Spigel (302) 761-4340.

Tour Guide

This rural Gothic home was built in the early 1850’s by Joseph Shipley, a Wilmington native, and purchased by Sarah Shipley Bringhurst, his niece, in 1890. The rooms at Rockwood represent the way the house looked between 1895 and 1901, the early years of the Bringhurst occupancy.

If you have an interest in the Victorian era or just a love of history, you can take visitors back to 1895 to enjoy the lifestyle of the Bringhurst family.
There are still some unanswered questions about members of the Bringhurst family. If you have an investigative mind you can help with the ongoing research.
The Ice Cream Festival in July and the Christmas Open House are annual events which require a lot of extra staffing for the variety of activities during these events.
Time commitment: any day from Tuesday through Sunday, minimum of 2 hours/day.

Education Volunteer

School programs give students a glimpse of what life was like in the 19th century by comparing the pastimes of the Victorian era to those of today. Students are given the opportunity to play some games and do some crafts that were popular in the 19th century.

If you like children you can join in the fun.
Special programs are held on holidays (Valentine’s Day and Christmas).
Summer Fun Days are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays over a 7 week period.
Time commitment: 2 hours minimum/program
Mailings are sent out during the year to announce dates of these programs. Help is needed to send out the mailings as well as process the responses.
Time commitment: any day from Tuesday through Friday, as needed.

Garden Volunteer

The historic garden at Rockwood was laid out in 1851 and many of the original plantings still exist today. The original Conservatory holds many tropical plants which burst into bloom during the winter months.

If you have a love of plants, you can assist the gardener all year round.
In the winter, help care for plants in the Conservatory by deadheading, cleaning and pruning.
May is the busiest month with lots of plantings for all the outdoor flower beds.
Warmer months require routine outdoor garden chores and cleanup after any storms.
Time commitment: any day from Tuesday through Friday, minimum 2 hours/week. Hours would depend on the weather as well as the season.

Museum Collections Volunteer

All the objects, textiles, furniture and clothing in the museum collection have to be identified, photographed and cataloged.

If you have experience in Windows, you can help with the data entry necessary to catalog the various objects in the collection.
If photography is your talent, you can document and complete condition reports on the variety of items on display and in storage.
Exhibits change 2 to 3 times a year in the Bringhurst Gallery and help is needed to take down the current exhibit and set up the new one.
Displays in the Mansion are changed regularly and would include flower arranging as well as setting up the clothing and objects related to the holiday or season
Time commitment: any day from Tuesday through Friday, 3 hours/week

Butler's Pantry Volunteer

Help with the serving Luncheon Teas in the Butler’s Pantry
Assist the Pantry Staff clean up after the Tea
Time commitment: any day from Monday through Sunday when a Tea is scheduled, 4 hours per Tea.

Gift Shop Volunteer

Display and inventory items for sale.
Help visitors with their selections.
Time commitment: any day from Tuesday through Sunday, 4 hours/week.