Share Your Time & Talents With Us

Volunteer opportunities with Historic Charleston Foundation are abundant!

We are grateful for the support of the over 700 volunteers who support us annually by working with our student field trips; our two house museums, including our garden at the Nathaniel Russell House Museum; and with our two largest public education programs, the Charleston Antiques Show and the Festival of Houses and Gardens.

Want to get involved?

Volunteer Now!

Education Volunteers

Throughout the year, we host groups of local school children, grades k – 12, at our house museums. Volunteers are needed to help lead tours, manage the groups, assist with crafts and activities and occasionally to accompany groups to other sites in downtown Charleston if the group is on a scavenger hunt. Volunteers are needed M – F, September – May for approximately 4 hours, either in the morning or the afternoon depending on when the groups are scheduled. Contact the Education and Programming Manager, Carin Bloom, at 843-720-1190 for more information.

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Festival of Houses and Gardens

The Foundation’s Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens takes place in the spring, when the gardens are traditionally in their full glory and warm breezes offer a respite from winter weather. The Festival provides both visitors and volunteers with the rare opportunity to explore the private gardens and interiors of some of the finest residences in America, and proceeds support the Foundation’s preservation programs.

Volunteers make the Festival possible, and we could not do all that we do without our generous volunteers! As a thank you, volunteers of the Festival receive a variety of benefits based on the number of volunteer hours served. Benefits include Museum tickets, Tour tickets, admission to various lectures or events, and so much more!

If you have questions, please contact, Shelley Keith, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

Volunteer Training Manual Architecture Training Materials Garden Training Materials

Volunteer Roles
- Festival Docent: Briefly tell visitors about the history, architecture and decorative arts in the room to which you are assigned using materials provided by the Foundation.
- Festival Garden Docent: Briefly tell visitors about the plants and design found in a specific garden using materials provided by the Foundation. Garden Docents are needed for all afternoon and evening tours, as well as for Glorious Gardens.
- Festival Senior Docent: Coordinate Street Marshals before and during the tour.
- Festival Street Marshal: Assist visitors with directions and information along tour routes. Marshals are needed for all tours, including Glorious Gardens.
- Festival Senior Street Marshal: Coordinate Street Marshals before and during the tour.
- Festival Reception Host: Pour wine and lemonade for visitors during the garden receptions. Spaces are extremely limited and will be assigned on a first-received basis.
- Various Roles through the Year: Volunteers are always needed in various roles throughout the year, from helping with day-to-day administrative tasks to assisting in other annual events.
Volunteer Benefits
- Landmarks Pass: A temporary pass to numerous local historic sites will be offered during In-Person Volunteer Training sessions.
- 20% Discount at The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation: Receive your discount from March 1 through April 30 using your Landmarks Pass as identification, at The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation, 108 Meeting Street.
- Annual Pass to the Aiken-Rhett and Nathaniel Russell House Museums: A pass for you and a guest through February of the following year will be mailed to you after the Festival.
- Complimentary Festival Ticket: A free Festival ticket good for any of the Festival of Houses and Gardens afternoon and evening house and garden tours, including Glorious Gardens. Free tickets are not available for Morning History Walks; Charleston Antiques Show (admission and special events); Festival special events (all special events where food and beverages are served, concerts, etc.). You must volunteer for both dates of one tour to qualify for a free ticket. You will receive one free ticket for every tour (two dates) you work.
- And more! Volunteer benefits evolve and change with each year’s programming. Stay connected with us and reach out for more detailed information.
Benefits for Senior Positions
- Senior docents and senior street marshals will receive two complimentary Festival tickets for working both dates of one tour!
Volunteer Requirements
- Attend Training & Assignment Distribution: All volunteers should plan to attend a one-hour training session in early March.
- An eagerness to learn! Prior knowledge of history, architecture and decorative arts is not necessary to volunteer during the Festival. Materials and training will be provided by the Foundation.

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Share Your Time & Talents With Us

Volunteer opportunities with Historic Charleston Foundation are abundant!

Want to get involved?

Education Volunteers

Festival of Houses and Gardens

Volunteer Roles

Volunteer Benefits

Benefits for Senior Positions

Volunteer Requirements

Museum Volunteers