Rockwood Historic Mansion and Museum

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Love history? Have a special interest in American decorative arts, the Victorian era, architecture, or antiques? Are you working toward a degree in museum administration, American history, or historic preservation? There are both ongoing and project-based opportunities available at Rockwood Museum and Park. Specific projects could be developed to meet the academic goals of undergraduate and graduate students. Special project interns and volunteers will be amazed at the rich history and extensive museum collection. As a volunteer tour guide you will enjoy guiding visitors back in time to 1895 to explore the Bringhurst family's turn-of-the-century lifestyle at Rockwood. Garden volunteers will learn about the formal and naturalistic gardens of the era.

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.

Volunteering at Rockwood Museum has great benefits!

A rare opportunity to work closely with museum objects and to lend a hand in setting up special ongoing exhibits in the museum.

Free admission to museum for volunteer and guest.

Educational sessions about interpreting the museum and other aspects of the collection and local history.

Volunteer discounts on items purchased in the museum gift shop.

For volunteer tour guides field trips are provided quarterly to other museums for continuing education and socializing with other Rockwood Museum tour guides.

Yearly appreciation dinner for all museum volunteers.

Volunteer schedules are flexible for all opportunities. All tour guides serve a minimum of two 3-hour shifts per month...but typically guides fall in love with Rockwood and choose to serve more often!

There is also one volunteer meeting per month and occasional training sessions for tour guides.

Museum Hours:

Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM

Sunday 12 noon - 4 PM.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with one-time projects, exhibit set-up, research, gardening, and special events. Corporate, community, and youth groups are welcome!

Contact: Loretta Spigel, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: (302) 761-1722

Email: ljspigel@nccde.org