Fort Ross State Historic Park

Volunteering in the Park

See our volunteers in action....

Kedry is a group of active volunteers for Fort Ross.....

           Volunteers – please let us know your thoughts about Cultural Heritage Day

  If you would like to join us at Fort Ross or would like more information please call 707-847-4777
or email Hank Birnbaum or Robin Joy

 Browse the calendar of events and check our upcoming programs.

We like to honor our volunteers....read about them......

A few ways you can lend your talents are:

. Docents/Trail Guides Historical, cultural and natural interpretation. Locations/Venues: Fort Compound, Visitor Center/Museum, Call House, Call Garden, Orchard, Cemetery, Beach/Coves/Bluff,

Bookstore/Visitor Center Assistants Assist with greeting and sales in Bookstore/Visitor Center. Occasional special projects.

Craft Demonstrators Demonstration of Russian, Native Alaskan and Native California crafts and skills. Locations/Venues: Usually Fort Compound, occasionally at Visitor Center/Museum, etc.

Special Event Volunteers In addition to docents and craft demonstrators, other varied volunteer assistance is needed during our four seasonal special events ("Cultural Heritage Day" (last Saturday of July), "Harvest Festival" (third Saturday of October), "Winter Festival (January or February) and "Spring Festival" (Spring!).

Also assistance needed during our annual church services on Memorial Day and July 4th. Hours:

Office Assistants: Varied office and other assistance needed, including updating databases, assistance with mailings and correspondence, fundraising, updating volunteer manual, etc.. Hours: Weekends and weekdays. 10:00-4:30.

Research Assistance Varied research assistance needed, some on site at the Fort Ross Library, some off site.

Translation/Interpretation Assistance Varied translation/Interpretation assistance needed. English, Russian, Spanish, etc.. Skills test required.

Carpentry, Maintenance, Gardening, Clean-ups and Cleaning Varied carpentry, maintenance, gardening and cleaning assistance of displays, equipment, facilities, gardens, orchard and beaches. Locations/Venues: Fort Compound, Visitor Center/Museum, Call House, Call Garden, Orchard, Cemetery, Beach/Coves/Bluff, etc.

Adopt-a-Room (or Building) Service Program For groups ready for an ongoing commitment (24 hours/year), adopt a room (or building) within the Fort Compound (i.e. Granary, Scientist Room, Trade Room, Wood Workshop, Armory, Chapel, etc.), and take pride that your corner of Fort Ross will be cleaned and maintained throughout the year

The primary interpretive policy of the Department of Parks is to heighten and increase public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the natural, cultural history, and recreational values of California as represented in the California State Park System; to increase public understanding and concern for people’s place in their environment and thereby awaken an increased desire to protect and enjoy the natural and cultural heritage of this state. Interpretation is an intelligent and meaningful presentation and explanation of the significance and value of the features and qualities preserved in the State Park system. By means of personal contact, formal and informal presentations, and through various media, park volunteers attempt to convey to the visitor an appreciation of its history. To achieve this goal, it is of utmost importance to have volunteer programs.

When volunteering at Fort Ross State Historic Park we encourage you to become familiar with the natural and cultural history.  We encourage you to research and develop an understanding of the people and their lives that make up this history. There is material available to assist you with this and our staff is always willing to help.  Our mini Living History Day are geared for the volunteers to have a day in costume, with other volunteers, sharing ideas amongst themselves and with staff, and also with the visiting public. And during these events we will, at times, offer training opportunities. Our  annual Cultural Heritage Day is the last Saturday of July each year. Over 100 costumed participants join us for this joyous occasion.

  How would you like to take part in educational and interpretive activities which help to bring alive the active living settlement that was Fort Ross from 1812 –1841?  We are looking for people who possess a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward people, have a love for history, and are willing to share skills and knowledge with visitors and/or staff. You must have the ability to follow directions as well as work independently.  Would you like to volunteer in costume interacting with the public, young and old? Or would you prefer to share knowledge and skills of the history or the cultural aspects of this time period directly to staff and other volunteers? Perhaps you have a skill in woodworking, tin smithing, blacksmithing, sewing, cooking or other necessary life crafts of the early 1800’s. You may even want to work behind the scenes helping us build or repair items that are used in our historical interpretation. Do you speak Russian? We are in need of translators for our annual Cultural Heritage Day, the last Saturday of July each year.