Volunteer Opportunities From: Volunteer Prince William

Volunteer: Lorton Prison Museum Docent

WHAT IS THE LORTON PRISON MUSEUM?

The Lorton Prison Museum featuring the Lucy Burns Gallery is the history museum for the Workhouse Arts Center - the former site of the Lorton Correctional Complex (or the DC Prison). LBM tells the 91 year history of the prison site, with a special focus on the Women's Suffrage Movement - as the original prison, the Occoquan Workhouse, held over 70 of the suffragists who picketed the White House in 1917. LBM has galleries dedicated to the Suffrage Movement and general prison history, along with a preserved cellblock. Learn more at www.workhousearts.org/lorton-prison-museum

 

WHAT IS A DOCENT?

Docents are volunteers who provide educational services for the museum visitor and are sometimes called tour guides, interpreters, and volunteer educators. The role of a docent is three-fold:

They serve as hosts, to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases they are the museum’s “front-line” or main human representatives. They serve as interpreters of the museum’s galleries, helping to give the visitor a deeper understanding and appreciation of the exhibitions. Docents also assist in safeguarding the collection by a watchful presence in exhibition areas.

The interpretive or educational role of the docent is the most important and challenging aspect of the job. To be effective, a docent cannot just lecture at an audience. Docents must strive to actively involve visitors in the interpretation, giving them the tools of visual literacy. Docents should provide a broader understanding of an exhibition’s concepts and provide a context for the collections with which they are working. Docents should strive for objectivity. In their role as interpreter a docent must be careful not to force value judgment or opinions on a visitor. In addition, a docent must be sensitive to visitors’ differences – learning style, cultural backgrounds, age level, and special needs.

 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DOCENT?

A sincere and genuine interest in people of all ages. A love for and excitement about learning and teaching. Attention to detail and accuracy. A sense of flexibility and cooperation. An attitude of tolerance and respect for all people’s points of view.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMMITMENTS

All docents will receive training from museum staff and current docents. After completing training, docents are expected to commit to volunteering at the Museum for two years (or longer), and to volunteer for at least two museum shifts per month (2-4 hours shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Periodically throughout the year, docent meetings, trainings, and activities will be scheduled, and docents are expected to attend as many as possible. New docents do not have to have a museum or history background to apply. A genuine interest in the history LPM, a willingness to learn, and an interest in engaging the public is a must!

APPLY

If you are interested in being a Lorton Prison Museum docent, please sent a brief letter of intent, describing why you are interested and your background to the museum at museum@workhousearts.org. We look forward to working with you.

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

WHAT IS THE LORTON PRISON MUSEUM?

The Lorton Prison Museum featuring the Lucy Burns Gallery is the history museum for the Workhouse Arts Center - the former site of the Lorton Correctional Complex (or the DC Prison). LBM tells the 91 year history of the prison site, with a special focus on the Women's Suffrage Movement - as the original prison, the Occoquan Workhouse, held over 70 of the suffragists who picketed the White House in 1917. LBM has galleries dedicated to the Suffrage Movement and general prison history, along with a preserved cellblock. Learn more at www.workhousearts.org/lorton-prison-museum

 

WHAT IS A DOCENT?

Docents are volunteers who provide educational services for the museum visitor and are sometimes called tour guides, interpreters, and volunteer educators. The role of a docent is three-fold:

They serve as hosts, to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases they are the museum’s “front-line” or main human representatives. They serve as interpreters of the museum’s galleries, helping to give the visitor a deeper understanding and appreciation of the exhibitions. Docents also assist in safeguarding the collection by a watchful presence in exhibition areas.

The interpretive or educational role of the docent is the most important and challenging aspect of the job. To be effective, a docent cannot just lecture at an audience. Docents must strive to actively involve visitors in the interpretation, giving them the tools of visual literacy. Docents should provide a broader understanding of an exhibition’s concepts and provide a context for the collections with which they are working. Docents should strive for objectivity. In their role as interpreter a docent must be careful not to force value judgment or opinions on a visitor. In addition, a docent must be sensitive to visitors’ differences – learning style, cultural backgrounds, age level, and special needs.

 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DOCENT?

A sincere and genuine interest in people of all ages. A love for and excitement about learning and teaching. Attention to detail and accuracy. A sense of flexibility and cooperation. An attitude of tolerance and respect for all people’s points of view.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMMITMENTS

All docents will receive training from museum staff and current docents. After completing training, docents are expected to commit to volunteering at the Museum for two years (or longer), and to volunteer for at least two museum shifts per month (2-4 hours shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Periodically throughout the year, docent meetings, trainings, and activities will be scheduled, and docents are expected to attend as many as possible. New docents do not have to have a museum or history background to apply. A genuine interest in the history LPM, a willingness to learn, and an interest in engaging the public is a must!

APPLY

If you are interested in being a Lorton Prison Museum docent, please sent a brief letter of intent, describing why you are interested and your background to the museum at museum@workhousearts.org. We look forward to working with you.

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22079

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Fall Fest

Workhouse's First Annual Fall Fest is on Saturday, October 18. The event starts at 11AM and runs until 6PM. We'll have crafts, music, games, and more! At 7PM, we are showing the film Hocus Pocus on the ball field. It'll be a great day!
We are in need of volunteers to help with set-up, take-down, running carnival games, monitoring activities, wayfinding, staffing art/craft stations, etc. All activities will take place OUTSIDE. Volunteers will need to be able to be on their feet for long periods of time. Please fill out our online form to sign up for this event!

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

Workhouse's First Annual Fall Fest is on Saturday, October 18. The event starts at 11AM and runs until 6PM. We'll have crafts, music, games, and more! At 7PM, we are showing the film Hocus Pocus on the ball field. It'll be a great day!
We are in need of volunteers to help with set-up, take-down, running carnival games, monitoring activities, wayfinding, staffing art/craft stations, etc. All activities will take place OUTSIDE. Volunteers will need to be able to be on their feet for long periods of time. Please fill out our online form to sign up for this event!

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Oct 18, 2025

Zip Code: 22079

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: Volunteer Artist Building Representatives

Volunteer Artist Building Representatives (VABRs) serve as the first point of contact for visitors entering the artist buildings on the Workhouse Art Center (WAC) campus. There are six separate buildings showcasing Workhouse artists on campus, each with a unique personality. During public hours (11AM-6PM Wednesday thru Saturday and Noon-5PM on Sunday), each artist building has a resident artist “on duty,” who is responsible for opening the building, administering sales, and closing-up at the end of the day. VABRs are stationed in the gallery at the front of these buildings, welcoming visitors to the space. They are knowledgeable about what is going on at the Workhouse that day and the other programs and offerings available to visitors, in addition to having a basic understanding of our site’s history. VABRs answer visitor questions and work with the artists on duty to provide quality visitor experience support artwork sales. VABRs do not handle financial transactions.

VABR Shifts at the WAC –

11:30AM to 2:30PM (Wed-Sat) 2:30PM to 5:30PM (Wed-Sat) Noon to 2:30 (Sun) 2:30 to 5PM (Sun)

Qualifications –

Must be 16 years of age or older; Friendly demeanor, with a willingness to engage visitors; Ability to retain and recite information about the WAC, its history and current offerings; Desire to learn about art and artists; Knowledge of art and art practices, a plus; Ability to work three (2) or more shifts a month and committed to volunteer for a year or more.

Training –

All VABRs must attend an onsite training course prior to working shifts at the WAC. The training course will include essential information about how to do the VABR job effectively and will provide the necessary information to ensure all our volunteers are comfortable with their role and responsibilities. Trainings will be scheduled at various times to accommodate the schedules of volunteers and staff.

Benefits –

Workhouse volunteers enjoy many benefits including campus discounts and the opportunity to attend special events and theater previews. Volunteers at the Workhouse have the opportunity be part of our growing arts community and to develop in-depth knowledge about the arts, history, and culture of our area.

Interested?

You can apply online here: https://form.jotform.com/240914730999165

Have questions?

Email us at volunteer@workhousearts.org to learn more!

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

Volunteer Artist Building Representatives (VABRs) serve as the first point of contact for visitors entering the artist buildings on the Workhouse Art Center (WAC) campus. There are six separate buildings showcasing Workhouse artists on campus, each with a unique personality. During public hours (11AM-6PM Wednesday thru Saturday and Noon-5PM on Sunday), each artist building has a resident artist “on duty,” who is responsible for opening the building, administering sales, and closing-up at the end of the day. VABRs are stationed in the gallery at the front of these buildings, welcoming visitors to the space. They are knowledgeable about what is going on at the Workhouse that day and the other programs and offerings available to visitors, in addition to having a basic understanding of our site’s history. VABRs answer visitor questions and work with the artists on duty to provide quality visitor experience support artwork sales. VABRs do not handle financial transactions.

VABR Shifts at the WAC –

11:30AM to 2:30PM (Wed-Sat) 2:30PM to 5:30PM (Wed-Sat) Noon to 2:30 (Sun) 2:30 to 5PM (Sun)

Qualifications –

Must be 16 years of age or older; Friendly demeanor, with a willingness to engage visitors; Ability to retain and recite information about the WAC, its history and current offerings; Desire to learn about art and artists; Knowledge of art and art practices, a plus; Ability to work three (2) or more shifts a month and committed to volunteer for a year or more.

Training –

All VABRs must attend an onsite training course prior to working shifts at the WAC. The training course will include essential information about how to do the VABR job effectively and will provide the necessary information to ensure all our volunteers are comfortable with their role and responsibilities. Trainings will be scheduled at various times to accommodate the schedules of volunteers and staff.

Benefits –

Workhouse volunteers enjoy many benefits including campus discounts and the opportunity to attend special events and theater previews. Volunteers at the Workhouse have the opportunity be part of our growing arts community and to develop in-depth knowledge about the arts, history, and culture of our area.

Interested?

You can apply online here: https://form.jotform.com/240914730999165

Have questions?

Email us at volunteer@workhousearts.org to learn more!

Organization: Workhouse Arts Center

Volunteer Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 22079

Allow Groups: No