Volunteer Training To Begin At Glebe House, Jekyll Garden

WOODBURY — The Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden is seeking enthusiastic volunteers who have an interest in historic homes and gardens, and have the time to share the knowledge that they will learn about this historic site with the general public. This is an opportunity to try something different, to share skills, or to learn new ones. Anyone interested in learning more about local history and the lives of the people who lived it, or love gardening and have a passion for historic gardens may want to consider training as a volunteer.

The museum, set in historic Woodbury’s village center, offers the visitor a glimpse of Revolutionary era Connecticut. The 18th Century farmhouse is furnished as the home of Reverend John Rutgers Marshall, his wife Sarah, and their nine children who lived in the “glebe” during the turmoil of the American War for Independence. Volunteers will be introduced to this family and their daily life on Hollow Road in Woodbury in the 1700s. Learn also how the Gertrude Jekyll garden came to be planted, and its significance to the gardening world.

The house and garden is open to the public May through November and by appointment throughout the year. There are also numerous special group tours, school tours, community events, lectures, after school programs, summer camps and other programs that the Glebe House Museum with the help from its volunteers offers to the public. Although the most visible jobs of the volunteers are those of shopkeepers and docents, others assist with newsletters, publicity, special events, office work, bookkeeping, mailings, and garden maintenance.

Training for volunteers will begin in March and includes an orientation, an overview of the history of the house and garden, a basic introduction to some of the daily work done in the 18th Century such as spinning, and guide training.

Anyone interested in learning and teaching others about local history, the daily life of people in the 18th Century, museum shop sales, office work, or gardening and garden design is invited to attend the training workshops.

Training will take place Saturdays, March 8 and 15, from 9 am to noon, at the museum, 49 Hollow Road. Sessions will also be offered on Tuesdays, March 11 and 18, also 9 am to noon.

For additional information or to register call Judith Kelz, director of Glebe House Museum, at 263-2855.