Indiana Landmarks is recruiting volunteers, offering a variety of experiences appealing to young people looking for job experience and folks of every age seeking educational enrichment and meaningful ways to contribute their time.
The nonprofit organization welcomes those who’d like to know more about its volunteer options to an open house Wednesday, February 15, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave. Refreshments will be served at the volunteer information session.
The center is an adapted nineteenth-century church, which holds a 400-seat theater as well as the smaller Cook Theater and large reception halls. The building at the corner of 12th and Central is in the Old Northside historic district, a mile north of Monument Circle. Morris-Butler House, a restored Victorian site next door to the center at 1204 North Park, was built in 1865.
The 52-year old organization saves, restores and adapts vintage structures throughout Indiana. It seeks to enlist volunteers who will lead entertaining and educational tours of Morris-Butler House and Indiana Landmarks Center, walking tours of Monument Circle and other historic areas of Indianapolis, and motorcoach tours for groups visiting the capital city.
For tour guides, Indiana Landmarks provides a required six-week training course. The course covers the history and development of Indianapolis’s downtown and landmark neighborhoods, architectural history, and how to create and deliver a compelling tour.
The organization also needs volunteers to provide office and library assistance and help with the special events, art exhibits, and performances held at Indiana Landmarks Center and Morris-Butler House. Volunteers greet and direct people, answer questions, usher at performances, and assist in set up for events. Training for these volunteer opportunities ranges from on-the-spot to a few hours, depending upon the task.
In addition to training, Indiana Landmarks’ volunteers receive complimentary membership, continuing education, the chance to visit fascinating historic sites, opportunities for involvement in the development of new tours, and social activities.
Indiana Landmarks also needs volunteers at its historic sites in Cambridge City, Aurora, and French Lick-West Baden.
To learn more about volunteering, contact Gwendolen Raley at (317) 636-5409 or visit tourism@indianalandmarks.org.
