Step Back in Time! On-going Volunteer Opps at Macktown Living History

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Macktown Living History Center, under the direction of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to restore and interpret the cultural life ways of Macktown (originally known as Pecatonic), one of Winnebago County’s earliest settlements. Volunteers may serve as:

• EDUCATION CENTER WEEKEND HOST - Serve as a host on weekends to open and close our Education Center, answer phones, have visitors sign guest book, talk to visitors about Macktown Living History events, encourage visitors to take brochures and newsletters and run gift shop.
• OFFICE STAFF - Assist with a variety of administrative duties, such as answering phones, directing messages, running copies, sorting files, etc. As the public is always welcome in our Education Center when it is open, anyone working in the office should also be willing to greet visitors, give a brief overview of Macktown Living History and encourage visitors to attend upcoming events.
• DOCENT - Serve as a tour guide on weekends and during special events. Docents dressed in period clothing add significantly to the tour experience, although this is not a requirement. Our goal is to eventually have historic buildings open regularly on weekends with these volunteers assuming personas of some of the original settlers.
• SPECIAL EVENT VOLUNTEER - Work with committee to set up for an event, take tickets, staff buildings, etc. We could really use help splitting wood for our re-enactments!
• GARDENER - Help plant and maintain the early 1800’s Heritage Garden, Medicine Wheel Garden, and the Native American "Three Sisters" Garden.
• PUBLICITY COORDINATOR - Work with various committees to promote upcoming events and programs. Computer skills helpful!
• PROGRAM DEMONSTRATOR - Use experience or knowledge to conduct a program or class that teaches a historic skill or promotes area history.
• RE-ENACTOR - Create a historic persona and period dress appropriate to the 1800-1850’s era. Macktown Living History provides character guides and catalogues to help those interested in becoming a re-enactor. Classes in historic character development are conducted January through March for these volunteers.
• HISTORIAN - Gather and organize historical and genealogical information pertaining to Macktown.

Macktown Forest Preserve is located at 2221 Freeport Road Rockton, IL 61072-(815) 624-4200