Heritage Park Historical Village

Costuming Volunteer

Role Overview:
Costuming Volunteers assist in the care, maintenance, and construction of historical costumes used in a living history museum. With over 17,000 costume pieces in circulation, volunteers play a key role in ensuring garments are well-maintained, properly stored, and ready for use. Volunteers may focus on ironing, sewing (by hand or machine), millinery projects, or textile conservation, depending on their skills and interests.

Responsibilities:
Depending on skill and interest, volunteers may work in the following areas under the guidance of the Costume Manager and Costume Team:

1. Ironing
   • Iron clean costume pieces before they are returned to storage
   • Check garments for any missed repairs
   • Use a domestic steam iron to press garments
2. Millinery Projects
   • Repair, decorate, and build hats from various materials (straw, wool, buckram, wire, etc.)
   • Steam and clean hats
   • Hand-sew as needed
3. Sewing by Hand
   • Sew buttons, snaps, and reinforce buttonholes
   • Repair holes and reinforce seams
4. Sewing by Machine
   • Machine-sew a variety of garment pieces
   • Perform garment alterations and repairs
   • Construct new costume pieces based on provided patterns
   • Work with Costume Department staff to ensure standardized techniques
5. Textile Conservation
   • Wash, vacuum, and repair textiles to maintain artifact stability
   • Hand-sew, clean, and steam textiles as needed
   • Work as part of a conservation team to protect historical garments

Expectations:

• Detail-oriented with a careful approach to historical garments
• Experience with sewing, ironing, and garment care (varies by activity)
• Ability to stand for extended periods (for ironing)
• Ability to follow supervisor directions and work independently
• Willingness to work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff
• Contribute to inspiring and immersive experiences at the Park by engaging in Heritage Park initiatives that align with its mission and vision
• Demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety by complying with Heritage Park's Health, Safety, and Environment Management System (HSEMS), following safe work practices, reporting work-related incidents, injuries, and hazards, participating in required training, and adhering to policies including the Code of Conduct and the Workplace Violence and Harassment policy
• Actively support a positive work environment through creating an atmosphere of inclusion, engagement, and fulfillment in line with Heritage Park values
• Demonstrate responsible stewardship of people, collections, and financial assets by ensuring they are handled with integrity, sustainability, and a focus on long-term benefits for the organization and its stakeholders

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience with industrial sewing machines is an asset; experience on a home sewing machine will also be considered.
• Good sewing and alteration skills
• All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through a Police Information Check as a condition of volunteering.

Clothing and Equipment:

• Business casual attire appropriate for a living history environment
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
• Appropriate costuming and safety equipment will be provided by Heritage Park if applicable

Working Conditions:

• Repetitive strain injuries (from sewing, ironing, or detailed handwork)
• Eye strain (from fine, detailed sewing tasks)
• Standing-related strains (for prolonged ironing shifts)
• Burns (from domestic irons and steamers)
• Puncture wounds or eye injuries (from needles in sewing and millinery tasks)
• Exposure to dust or pests (in textile conservation tasks)

Shift Details:
Shifts vary through the week between the hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, with occasional weekend opportunities.

If you are confident in your skills and able to work efficiently as part of a team, please indicate your interest in joining our volunteer program!