Volunteer at Ten Chimneys

Volunteers are the heart of our organization. From tending Alfred’s gardens to leading inspirational tours to cleaning precious artifacts, Ten Chimneys offers volunteers the priceless sense of beauty, accomplishment, and community that the Lunts so cherished.

Tour Guides (Volunteer Docents and Shadows)

A tour at Ten Chimneys is more than a walk about a house; it’s a true experience of place. Because Ten Chimneys docents do not employ a script, there is freedom and flexibility to be creative in the moment during each tour and customize presentations for specific audiences. 

All docents complete an in-depth, 14-week training course to introduce guests to Ten Chimneys during the May through December tour season. The course includes a historical study of the Lunts and their era, an in-depth exploration of the decorative arts found at Ten Chimneys, and a focus on the core values for which the Lunts were best remembered. Each classroom session is followed by four weeks of additional, hands-on training.

Docents of Ten Chimneys are invited to attend Volunteer Meetings held four times a year, participate in continuing education sessions, and gather for a much-anticipated Volunteer Picnic held on the estate grounds at the peak of summer. 

Preservation Volunteers

Do you have a keen eye for detail and an interest in researching historic furnishings? Join our dedicated volunteers in documenting the Ten Chimneys collection. You’ll learn to see artifacts through a curator’s eyes, to properly store historic materials, and the best methods for preserving collection items.

We are looking for weekly cleaning help (dusting, vacuuming, etc.) in the buildings on the estate.  Come for an hour or more, once a week, to tidy up and enjoy the company of other volunteers in beautiful surroundings. Plus, you get to see Lynn & Alfred’s home up close. There are also special projects, such as silver polishing, that we would love assistance with.

Foundation Office Volunteers

The staff of Ten Chimneys Foundation is always looking for individuals to help around the office. Volunteers are welcome to set a regular schedule or add themselves to the office-project “Call me” list.