Volunteer

 

 

Volunteer at Colonial National Historical Park.

NPS

Colonial National Historical Park is grateful for the support of our enthusiastic volunteer community. In 2025, 472 volunteers contributed more than 6,500 hours of service—over 4,000 of those hours from long-term volunteers. Their efforts expand Colonial’s capacity to complete critical projects, enhance the visitor experience, and support special events across the park. If you’re interested in joining our Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Program, we’d love to welcome you!

Why Volunteer at Colonial?

• Share the history of some of the nation’s most significant sites in early American history with millions of park visitors annually
• Care for your local natural resources and contribute to citizen science projects
• Connect with like-minded people in your community
• Be celebrated at volunteer recognition events throughout the year
• Earn a National Park Service Annual Volunteer Pass for every 250 hours of service—providing free entry to any national park for you and three guests for a year!

Current Long-Term Volunteer Positions Include:

• Mobile Maintenance Team – Assist with landscaping and maintenance of historic structures, directly supporting preservation and visitor experience
• Park Ranger Assistant (Info Desk) – Welcome visitors at the Historic Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Centers and help them navigate their park experience
• Glasshouse Volunteers – Work alongside artisans to help interpret the history of glassblowing at Jamestown
• Artillery Crew – Take part in the historic artillery firing demonstrations at Yorktown Battlefield and help bring history to life
• Archival & Library Support – Organize historic records and materials to support research and preservation
• Wildlife Surveys & Litter Cleanups – In collaboration with the Historic Rivers chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, help care for Colonial’s natural spaces through monitoring and stewardship activities. For more information about volunteering through the Virginia Master Naturalists, please visit: https://www.historicrivers.org/.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities—or have other skills you’d like to share—please reach out. You may also apply directly for the Park Ranger Assistant (Info Desk) position on volunteer.gov.

Short-Term & Group Volunteering

Are you looking for a volunteer project for your business, scout troop, or community organization? Don’t have time for consistent volunteering but still want to help the park? Let us know! Colonial offers a variety of volunteer events throughout the year for individuals, private groups, and the general public. Some examples of past short-term volunteer opportunities include:

• Removing invasive plants like bamboo and ivy to protect historic structures and native species
• Helping restore earthworks at Yorktown Battlefield through light landscaping
• Supporting special events—Before the Siege, Yorktown Day, Pedal the Parkway—with visitor services and interpretation
• Cleaning trails and removing litter in high-use areas
• Assisting with fence building, painting, and repairs to park structures

If you or your organization would like to take on a service project at the park, contact us and we’ll connect you with upcoming volunteer opportunities.

How to Apply

Apply through volunteer.gov or email us with your interests and skills. Depending on the role, a volunteer supervisor may follow up for an interview and to conduct a background check. Once approved, volunteers sign a Volunteer Service Agreement, receive training, orientation, a uniform, and the park Volunteer Handbook with more information about the Volunteer-In-Parks program at Colonial.

Equal Opportunity Policy: Colonial National Historical Park is committed to a strong nondiscrimination policy. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, or disability.