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5 people are interested
Living History Volunteer - Camp Follower and Civilian Woman of New Orleans
ORGANIZATION: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Please visit the new page to apply.
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5 people are interested
Living History Volunteer - Camp Follower and Civilian Woman of New Orleans
Description of Duties:
This position is primarily on-site at the Chalmette Battlefield and is administered by the park’s Living History Coordinator. The goal of the living history program is to help visitors make intellectual and emotional connections to the historic resources of Chalmette Battlefield through demonstrations, talks and hands-on activities The primary goal of Living History Volunteer who portrays a Camp Follower or Civilian Woman of New Orleans is to provide a safe, authentic interpretation of the role of women in the War of 1812 and the Gulf Campaigns. Living history volunteers will learn about the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans along with a variety of skills such as outdoor cooking, washing laundry, sewing, carding wool and cotton and spinning, embroidery, knitting and interpretive methods as part of their volunteer training. The park may provide period correct clothing and other equipment. This position is year-round and open to anyone with an interest in history and interacting with national park visitors.
Benefits to Park Volunteer:
* Experience working in a national park setting
* Accumulate community service hours to meet many local university graduation requirements
- Enhance public speaking and communication skills
Position Expectations:
- Volunteers will be required to attend a series of park sponsored learning sessions which will include movies, lectures and demonstrations.
- Upon completing the training, volunteers will develop an interpretive program which might include a historic skills demonstrations or short talks.
- Volunteers will participate and present their program at the park during designated living history days and at the annual Battle of New Orleans anniversary.
- Volunteers will develop and implement tailgate safety meeting for each of their programs.
- Volunteers will sign and submit a Volunteer Service Agreement and a Photo Release form prior to participating in park programs.
- Volunteers must wear all period appropriate natural fiber clothing (wool, cotton, silk, linen, hemp), during all programs to ensure authenticity and safety. Clothing may be provided either by the site Historic Clothing Department, or if the volunteer provides their own clothing, it must be approved by the Living History Coordinator.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Desired:
- No previous experience is needed. Open fire cooking and camping knowledge is desirable.
- Volunteer will create a short interpretive program based on information from on-site training, library and on-line resources, and observing fellow experienced volunteers. The Living History Coordinator will review the volunteer’s program for content, accuracy, and presentation.
Special Requirements:
Supervision:
Living History Female Camp Followers work under the supervision of the park living history coordinator.
Work Environment:
The volunteer will be lifting heavy objects, using sharp objects and cooking over an open fire during the spring, summer, fall and winter months. The volunteers should come prepared to present living history demonstrations in all types of weather conditions.
Supervisors: Aleutia Scott
Project Duration: Year round
Hours per month: Varies
More opportunities with Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Location:
Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve, Barataria Preserve, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, US
Mission Statement
Jean Lafitte NHP & P Mission Statement...
...to preserve for the education, inspiration and benefit of present and future generations significant examples of natural and historical resources of the Mississippi Delta region and to provide for the interpretation in such manner as to portray the development of cultural diversity in the region
Description
Organization Description
Louisiana’s Mississippi River Delta conjures images of a spirited culture and places of haunting beauty. It is a world shaped by a dynamic, centuries-old relationship between humans and a still-evolving land. Here a succession of peoples has both altered and adapted to the environment as they interacted with other cultures-changing and being changed. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve tells the story of this land and its culture that together show one of the most interesting faces of the American experience. The Mississippi River delta is some of the youngest land in North America. The deltaic sediments that underlie the New Orleans region are less than 4,000 years old. Natural processes-deposition of new sediment, erosion, subsidence (settling of sediment) - maintained a healthy equilibrium between land and water at delta’s edge. But canals, levees, jetties and floodways built by humans upset the balance, blocking sedimentation and increasing erosion and loss of coastal wetlands. The problem seems overwhelming - but we can save our wetlands if we work together and make smart choices. Any restoration program must be a commitment to the health of the entire system- including its human residents.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & PreserveChalmette Battlefield8606 West St. Bernard HighwayChalmette, LA 70043
DATE POSTED
January 31, 2019
SKILLS
- Customer Service
- General Education
- History
- Cooking / Catering
- Storytelling
- Acting
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Orientation or Training
- Hours per month: Ongoing Hours, Per week: varies