2009 Elgin Historic House ~ Volunteering

The Gifford Park Association (GPA) been hosting the Historic Elgin House Tour since 1979. GPA is an all volunteer organization and the House Tour is an all Volunteer enterprise. The commitment and effort that sustains this much anticipated event is totally that of Volunteers. Some years, there have been as many as 400 volunteers involved in making the Tour happen!

Although there are dozens of behind the scenes roles, the majority of volunteers work as “docents.” These are the individuals who “staff” the Tour homes and often deliver short scripted speeches for the Tour goers. Many people find this to be fun and volunteer to do this year after year. Docents are the people you see stationed about the houses, often to deliver a short, scripted presentation to the tour guests as they enter the docent's area. Volunteers who serve as docents typically work a two hour and forty-five minute shift and in return receive complementary admission to the other houses on the tour. Some docents do work multiple shifts if they're really enthusiastic. Some even recruit friends to be docents too! If you wish to volunteer as a docent, please send e-mail with your name and phone number to

But there are also help needed in other positions - marketing, ticket distribution, registration, food court, sign distribution and more! If you wish to volunteer in any other capacity, please send e-mail with your name and phone number to