Upcoming Volunteer Meeting & Dates for Your Calendar!

We're gearing up for an exciting year ahead at Furnace Town Historic Site, and we couldn't do it without you! Mark your calendars – we have our Volunteer Meeting on February 24th, and we've got a whole host of events where your support will be invaluable.

Volunteer Meeting Details:

- Date: February 24, 2024

- Time: 10:00-12:00

- Location: Furnace Town Historic Site - Visitor Center
3816 Old Furnace Road, Snow Hill, MD 21863

- Agenda: Discussing upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, completing paperwork & training as well as catching up with each other over snacks!

Here are the dates and events for which we are seeking volunteer assistance:

1. Artisan Days (First Saturday of each month, April - September):

   April 6th, May 4th, June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd, September 7th (10A-2P)

Artisan Days are a celebration of craft and creativity, showcasing a variety of traditional and contemporary artisanal skills. Whether you're skilled in woodworking, pottery, textile arts, blacksmithing, or any other craft (preferably one that can be linked back to the first half of the 19th century), we invite you to demonstrate your art and share your knowledge with the community. These events are a fantastic opportunity for artisans to display their work, engage with the public, and contribute to preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. If you are interested in volunteering as an artisan, please let us know your craft and any specific requirements you might have for your demonstration or workshop as well as the dates that you are interested in.

2. School Tour Days (as of 1/9/24):

   - Standard (9:45A-1:00P):

April 11 & 12, April 18 & 19, April 25 & 26, May 2, May 3, June 20, August 1

- New Program (9:45P-1:30A):

May 15, May 17, May 22, May 29, June 5

   Our school tours are meant to engage young minds and introduce them to the rich history and culture of our site. Each standard tour consists of five 20-minute stations, each offering a unique educational experience. We're looking for volunteers to help run these stations, guide the students, and provide interactive learning experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who enjoy working with children and have a passion for education and history. Whether you're leading a craft, giving a historical demonstration, or assisting with logistics, your involvement will make these tours a memorable experience for the students.
The new program, specifically designed for Worcester Co. Schools, takes a more student-led approach and focuses on science, nature, and deductive reasoning, along with exploring the daily lives of Furnace Town's historical inhabitants. This interactive and educational experience requires volunteers who are enthusiastic about these subjects and can help bring them to life for the students. Whether you're guiding a nature walk, engaging students in problem-solving activities, or portraying the daily life of Furnace Town's past residents, your participation will greatly enrich the students' learning experience.

3. Event Days: Save the dates! 

   - Clean-ups: March 16, April 21, September 14 (10:00A-2:00P)

   - Furnace Fairies & Gnome Celebration: May 11 (10:00A-6:00P)

   - Summer Music (5:00P-8:00P):

     - June 1: Bryan & the Barn Owls

     - June 15: TBA

     - June 29: Bay Country Drifters

     - July 13: The Folk Villains

     - July 27: The Stringbuzzards

   - Iron Furnace Fifty: August 24th

   - Renaissance Faire: September 28 & 29 (10:00A-6:00P)

   - Halloween in the Forest: October 26 (5:00P-7:30P)

We have a variety of exciting Event Days lined up, and we'll need your help to make them successful. From setup and cleanup to specific roles during the events, there are many ways to get involved. Sign-up sheets for various opportunities will be available at the Volunteer Meeting on February 24th. This is a great chance to choose the events and roles that interest you most. We encourage you to think about where your skills and interests could be best utilized, and we're here to answer any questions you have about the different roles.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Looking forward to another fantastic year with your support!

Thank you for your time, energy, & enthusiasm for Furnace Town!

Claudia Nagle Emril Getscher

Executive Director Events & Retail Manager

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Any inquiries for information should be directed, via e-mail, to director@furnacetown.org.