Become a Volunteer

Old Fort Niagara offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities to appeal to a variety of interests and abilities. We have a minimal time commitment requirement of eight hours per year. We would like to see you at least once in a calendar year to be continued on our mailing list.  Whether it's several hours a week or several hours a year, we can use you. And not just in the summer. We have needs all year around. We will keep you apprised of the opportunities to help through a monthly newsletter called the Garrison Orders. In it appears all of the up-coming events that need volunteer support, and many longer-term projects and programs that could use your help.

Volunteer benefits include free admission to the fort and its programs for yourself, and discounted admission for your family and guests, as well as admission to special "members only" functions. You would also qualify for discounts on Museum shop merchandise and OFN publications, while receiving a subscription to a volunteer newsletter that gives advanced notice of special fort programs. Last, but certainly not least, you will get the satisfaction of helping Old Fort Niagara's history come alive for our visitors for years to come!

Here are just a few of the volunteer opportunities available at Old Fort Niagara

  • Docent: Guide tours through the Fort for school children and general visitors.
  • Visitor Center Docent: Welcome visitors to the Fort and talk to visitors about Visitor Center exhibits.
  • Military Interpreter: Dress in period attire and demonstrate musket firings and soldier life.
  • Foodways Interpreter: Be a part of the Fort's Historic Cooking Program and demonstrate 18th and early 19th century foodways for the public.
  • Admissions: Assist with ticket sales and visitor information.
  • Clerical: Phone reception, word processing and other office duties.
  • Exhibits: Assist with the construction of new exhibits and the maintenance of existing ones.
  • Special Events: Assist with crowd control, food service, sales, reenactor registration, etc.
  • Fundraising: Help plan and conduct the site's annual fund campaign.
  • Marketing: Assist in promoting the site to both local and tourist markets.
  • Clothing Repair: Help maintain the site's large collection of period clothing.
  • Field Musick: Play a fife or drum in the Fort's regimental field music.

 

 

 

Download our Volunteer Application

Hours of Operation

The Fort is open year round with the exception of New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

  • Jan - June 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • July - Aug - 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Sept - Dec - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Please note: Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.

 

Support the Fort

Old Fort Niagara is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1927. We do not rely on tax dollars. Instead, the Fort is funded through a combination of admission fees, museum shop sales and charitable contributions.

Donate today!

 

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