Volunteering at the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden
Volunteers make a world of difference at the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden. As operators of these sites, Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, is seeking interested people to become volunteer docents at either the Villa
museum or the Japanese garden for the upcoming season, May to October. No experience is necessary and training will be provided. In addition to the direct rewards of volunteering, other benefits include PPFV membership, newsletter,
event invitations, and field trips to other historic sites.
Volunteer Job Description
Villa Museum Docent: Conduct tours of the historic Fabyan home for general public visitors during public hours, or private tours for school groups, bus tours, and specialty interest groups at other times. You will convey to visitors the story of the Fabyans and their estate.
Educational Programs Volunteer: Aid in administration of special programs for children in the summer months.
Japanese Garden Greeter Guide : For those who love the out-of-doors, volunteering in the Garden on public days (Wednesday and Sunday afternoons) entails greeting visitors, giving directions, enforcing rules, and answering questions. This is a very low-key position, but very important.
Japanese Garden Green Team: Enjoy nature and help restore a historic landmark--all at the same time! Join the Team of gardeners and grounds keepers to help keep our gardens attractive to visitors from throughout the world. Help us preserve and maintain the unique features and plantings of this tranquil treasure in the Fabyan Forest Preserve. Your help will be appreciated whether you like to work with others, or if you prefer to enjoy nature in solitude. Requirements: Training provided as-you-go. Expertise in gardening appreciated, but not necessary. There are many different tasks to be done in maintaining our extensive grounds, ranging from digging to weeding to planting. Whatever your interests or skills, if you enjoy the out-of-doors and fresh air, come give us a hand.
Special Events: Assist with set-up, welcome attendees, serve refreshments at exhibit openings, private parties, or seasonal programs.
Domestic Engineering: Assist with cleaning and staging in the Villa Museum. Training and supervision always provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a docent?
Docents are volunteers who conduct tours communicating the history of the Fabyans and interpreting the legacy of their Riverbank Estate, through photographs and artifacts displayed in the Villa Museum, once the home of George and Nelle Fabyan.
What experience is required?
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, many with little or no previous experience. We seek people who enjoy interacting with people from different walks of life, sharing the history of the Fabyans and their estate, and engaging visitors in a way that makes their visit here memorable.
How do I apply?
Download an application or call to have one sent to you and return the application to the address below. You will be contacted to schedule an introductory meeting. If your availability, personality and goals meet the needs of the volunteer docent program, we will work out a training plan to suit your schedule.
What is involved in the training program?
Training consists 2 - 90 minute lecture sessions, some reading homework and a video presentation. New docents then accompany experienced docents on tours. When the docent in training feels ready, they begin conducting tours on their own. The goal is for the docent to be able to read their audience and adjust their tour to meet the needs of each group. Docents should feel comfortable interpreting the Villa from their perspective, covering some required topics, and engaging conversationally with their group.
How much time do I need to commit?
We ask that volunteers commit a minimum of one afternoon per month May through October. Volunteering additional time is always welcome and some off season hours are available also.
What days would I be scheduled?
The Villa is open May 15 through October 15, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4:30. In June, July and August, the Villa is also open on Thursday afternoons for Self-Guided tours, geared towards families. We also have private tours on other days and in the mornings for which we need volunteer docents. We will try very hard to schedule you only at your convenience.
What are the duties of a Villa volunteer?
The standard tour begins on the lawn outside the Villa. The volunteer docent then leads the group through the Villa, communicating the Fabyan history through photographs, artifacts, and anecdotes. Tours generally stop in each of the nine rooms of the Villa, where the docent provides 4 to 5 minutes of information. The docent is responsible for conducting the tour, enforcing the policies that protect the house and its museum status and returning their group to the entrance/exit of the Villa Museum. You will be asked to represent Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, the non-profit organization responsible for the operation of the museum.
Why do you solicit volunteers instead of hiring employees?
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley is a not-for-profit organization and our philosophy is that dedicated volunteers are the backbone of our education and advocacy effort, minimizing our operations costs and bringing passion and commitment to these efforts.
