Interpretation
Interpretation Volunteers dress in 1800s period attire and have the opportunity to facilitate living history demonstrations. These demonstrations are meant to encourage our park's visitors to connect with the customs, occupations, and lifestyles of the people who lived in the park during the Mexican and American periods of San Diego’s history.
Interpretation Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Museum Docent
Museum docents play an integral role within the historical museums of the park. Museum docents rely on their training and accumulated knowledge of California's history from (1821- 1872) to educate park visitors as they enjoy the different museums throughout the park. In addition to providing an essential educational role within the museum, Docents are responsible for monitoring the space and keeping track of visitor attendance.
School Program
School program volunteers play an integral role within the K-12 School Program. School program volunteers primarily assist with our California Time Travelers Program and guide designated groups of students between the various staff led activity sites. Volunteers must be available Tuesdays and Wednesdays to participate in this opportunity.
Adobe Making
Within the view of the public eye, volunteers use engineering skills to help demonstrate original techniques used to create adobe bricks from the materials provided by the environment. Please keep in mind that this opportunity involves physical labor. In addition to creating a historically accurate structure within the Seeley Yard, volunteers will have the opportunity to connect with visitors and explaining the history of the architecture in the 1820s.
Spinning
Utilizing traditional techniques and materials, volunteers can demonstrate the process of converting plant and animal fibers into threads that will be eventually spun into fabric. By honoring the people who spun, wove, and sewed fiber into textiles used in their homes and their communities, Volunteers have the opportunity to educate visitors on the lifestyles of the people who live in OTSDSHP during the Mexican and American Period.
Quilters
Quilting volunteers utilize fabric that has been spun or manufactured and combined fabrics by quilting the layers together the same way that was done historically. Our quilting volunteers, interact with the public and hand sew historic quilts as they explain the details of the skill and the significance it played as an occupation for the community.
Blacksmithing / Woodworking (Currently Unavailable)
Qualified Blacksmith and Woodshop volunteers utilize the park’s forge, tools, and woodshop supplies, in order to create an engaging and interactive learning experience that can encourage guests to connect with the customs, occupations, and lifestyles that were critical to the development of San Diego’s early American Period.
Additional Qualifications: Completion of approved blacksmithing courses before the start date or prior blacksmithing skills or experience approved by head blacksmith. The cost of the blacksmithing course is not covered by the park.
