Job Descriptions for Docent and Interpreter at the Woodville Plantation in Bridgeville, PA

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Woodville Plantation, Bridgeville PA

Historical Context:

Laurence Glasco, a history professor at Pitt, and students in his History of Black Pittsburgh class traveled to the Woodville Plantation Wednesday evening and listened to Windhorst detail the lives of Western Pennsylvania slaves. Glasco takes his class to this plantation — which had the most slaves in Western Pennsylvania — every semester in order to expose them to black history in Pittsburgh that most people are not aware of.

“This trip tries to make the point that blacks were here from the very beginning of the city. They were here even before there was a city,” Glasco said.

https://www.history.pitt.edu/news/students-visit-plantation-learn-about-local-history-slavery

Woodville Plantation Position Descriptions

IMPORTANT NOTE: THESE ARE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS.
No specific degree or educational background is required.
Individuals must be 16 years old or older.

Training and information is provided by the Neville House Associates (NHA). Additionally, docents are encouraged to conduct their own research as well. This information, once approved by the NHA, can be used to supplement the information given during tours. The NHA may provide and require appropriate uniform/clothing to be worn during tours.

Interested in Volunteering? Email nevillehouseassociates@gmail.com for full details.

DOCENT:

Individual will lead tours of the house, ancillary buildings, and grounds during regularly scheduled hours of operation, as well as during special events, tours and rentals.

Individual should be able to competently and articulately communicate to visitors and public information regarding:

• The history of Woodville/Bower Hill residences and farms, as well as information about the individuals who lived and worked there
• The architecture and interiors of the Woodville house
• The history of the Whiskey Rebellion, in particular the events at Bower Hill in 1794
• General information regarding the time period interpreted at the Woodville site-1780 to 1820.

HISTORICAL INTERPRETER

Individual will recreate a persona, utilizing either first- or third-person interpretation techniques, to competently and accurately provide the account of an individual living during the period of 1780-1820 to the visitors of Woodville during regularly scheduled openings, special events, tours and rentals.

Additionally, historical interpreters may be the focus of special events held at the Woodville site.

An Historic Interpreter may recreate:

• A particular individual who was associated with the Woodville/Bower Hill farms.
• An individual who demonstrates a particular skill practiced during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• A particular individual who was relevant to the historic period interpreted.