Pittock Mansion Host

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Interested in history and sharing one of Portland's premier attractions? Pittock Mansion is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to greet visitors in the Mansion. Long-term, short-term, and holiday-season volunteers are welcome.

Mansion Host Description: Hosts familiarize themselves with the information about the Pittock Mansion, which is provided at the training session. They sit in or circulate through the Museum, greet guests, and answer questions about the house and family. Hosts are expected to maintain excellent customer service, and also assist visitors with operating the original Otis elevator.

Training: All volunteers are required to attend a 2-hour training and complete an application and a background check consent form.

Commitment: Volunteer shifts are about 4-hours (10am-2pm; 10:30am-2:30pm; 11am-3pm; or 11:30am-3:30m) Shifts are available 7-days a week, February-December. There isn't a maximum or minimum number of shifts a volunteer must sign up for--schedules are flexible.

Impact: Mansion hosts actively support the Mansion’s mission to inspire understanding and stewardship to Portland history through Pittock Mansion, its collections, and programs.

How to Apply: Please contact Kyla Foster at kfoster@pittockmansion.org or (503) 823-3587.

Please Note: All floors of Pittock Mansion are elevator accessible to a manual/push wheelchair. The 1913 elevator cannot accommodate powered chairs or scooters due to its size and weight limitations.

History of the Mansion and Pittock Family: In 1853, Henry Pittock arrived in Portland "barefooted and without a cent." By 1860, Mr. Pittock had moved his way up from a typesetter to the owner of The Oregonian newspaper. Portland’s history is reflected in the unique lives of the Pittocks, whose work, interests, and life stories still influence Portlanders today. Henry and Georgiana Pittock were activists, community builders, and lovers of the outdoors. They helped establish the Portland Rose Festival, the Mazamas climbing club, the Oregon Riding Club, and were gifted fundraisers for the Ladies Relief Society, Portland Women’s Union, and helped found the Portland Rose Society.

Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 for one of Oregon’s most influential families and is filled with rich history and remarkable stories. The Mansion is known for its architectural and technological prowess with an original Otis elevator, central vacuum cleaning system, dumbwaiter, and thermostat-controlled central heating.