Mayslake Peabody Estate

Volunteer Forms | Nature Workday Schedule | The Spirit

Mayslake Peabody Estate volunteers interpret the majesty of Mayslake Hall, former home of coal baron Francis Stevenson Peabody. Volunteer docents lead tours of Peabody's Tudor-style, 39-room residence and describe life at the estate in the 1920s. Research volunteers uncover exciting information about the Ottawa Indian archeological sites and the history of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. Estate garden volunteers work to re-establish the lush grounds around the hall and to maintain the formal landscaping. Contribute to the cultural and historical significance of this magnificent residence and surrounding grounds as a Mayslake Peabody Estate volunteer.

Docent:

Volunteer docents will work with the visitors to Mayslake Hall, typically spending most of their time giving tours to small groups. These will include casual visitors, organization groups and also accompanied school groups. Our docents will expand the public appreciation and knowledge of Mayslake Hall.

Responsibilities:

Greet visitors and accompany tour through the historic portions of the estate giving informative and accurate presentation
Will be responsible for assisting staff in ensuring the comfort and safety of all visitors
Will spend some time in the reception foyer assisting incoming and outgoing groups and collecting admission fees

Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years old
Must complete 30 hours of Docent training
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Volunteer docents will be required to attend all training sessions and participate in occasional ongoing training to achieve a stronger background in subject matter
Will need to work within the guidelines presented during training and to follow the directions of the staff
Must be able to manage walking and stairs, tours will last up to one hour
Will be required to attend staff/volunteer meetings as requested
Will be required to wear volunteer identification badge
Must be able to adapt easily and willingly to changing conditions and special circumstances
Will be required to observe and promote all security and safety procedures and should feel comfortable upholding rules (i.e. no climbing on furniture)
Will be required to promote record-keeping procedures (i.e. visitor sign-in and sign-out)
Maintain attendance as agreed with Supervisor giving two weeks notice if not able to attend or if wishing to resign from the program
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 9 hours per month (3 x 3 hr shifts), may include an occasional evening shift if an event is planned
One year commitment

Supervised by the Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor.

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Estate Garden:

To assist in the maintenance of plant beds. The amount and type of work will vary from day to day and will be dependent on weather conditions. The gardens will require most work during late spring/early summer and late summer/early fall.

Responsibilities:

Volunteer will assist in the general maintenance of the plant beds. This will include weeding, planting, watering, pruning and the collection of seed
Volunteer will work in cooperation with staff and other volunteers
May be asked to perform miscellaneous duties as requested by staff and agreed to by the volunteer

Requirements:

Must be at least 16 years old unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
Volunteer should have an interest and some skill in working with plants, training will be provided where needed
Volunteer should be generally capable of working in a garden environment in a variety of weather conditions
Must be able to work on their knees (i.e. weeding)
Capable of lifting up to 15 lbs.
Volunteer must be able to use small hand tools, which will be provided for use
Some knowledge of plant identification and horticultural practices would be beneficial
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions, and work as part of a team
Will be required to volunteer identification badge
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 6 hours per month (2 x 3 hour shifts) from March to November
One year commitment

Supervised by Estate Garden Lead Volunteer, Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Graphic Designer:

This volunteer will be responsible for the graphic design and layout of the quarterly Mayslake Peabody Estate newsletter and monthly internal volunteer/license holders newsletter. This volunteer will also assist staff in other graphic design projects such as layout for newspaper advertisements.

Responsibilities:

Quarterly layout of newsletter
Monthly layout of internal newsletter
Other graphic design projects as may arise

Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years old
Must have computer graphic design knowledge/experience and layout capability
Should be creative and able to follow guidelines
Must be able to work with newsletter editor and staff
Must be willing to work towards agreed goals
Must be able to attend occasional planning/progress meetings with staff

Commitment:

A minimum of 6 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Interpreter:

This volunteer will provide interpretation to visitors while helping conduct educational programming, assisting with events or working on projects such as preparation for a presentation. In addition, lead interpreters will assist staff in the development of some aspects of programming and will help in coordination and training of general interpreter volunteers.

Responsibilities:

To become familiar with Mayslake Peabody Estate
Will participate in training of interpretation volunteers
Will assist in the development of some programs
Will assist with school programs
Will assist with themed activities
Actively provide information to visitors about the events and activities at the estate
Will work in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years old
Must complete 30 hours of Docent training and six months of practical volunteer experience at Mayslake
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Must attend training session and have ability to maintain high standards of accuracy
Must be capable of moving throughout the building and grounds, will include use of stairs
Will need to demonstrate ability to assist in coordination and training of general interpretation volunteers
Will be required to volunteer identification badge
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 9 hours per month (3 x 3 hour shift)
One year commitment

Supervised by the Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Newsletter Editor:

This volunteer will be responsible for editing the quarterly Mayslake Peabody Estate newsletter and assisting staff in the overall content and layout. In the future, will be responsible for assisting staff in development of volunteer/license holder monthly newsletter.

Responsibilities:

Planning newsletter themes
Soliciting articles
Editing articles
Proof reading
Assisting in preparing the newsletter for distribution

Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years old
Must have writing/editing experience
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Must be willing to work towards agreed goals
Must be able to attend occasional planning/progress meetings with staff
Ideally, volunteer will have computer layout knowledge and capability
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 6 hours per month.
One year commitment.

Supervised by Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Research:

These volunteers will help with all aspects of research relating to Mayslake Peabody Estate. This will include, but not limited to, research relating to the history of the Peabody family, social and business connections, artifacts, history of the estate prior and post 1920, including pre-historic and Native American period. Also, background of the architect, Benjamin H. Marshall, art and culture of the era including social structure, library collection, historic landscaping, oral history, genealogy and heraldry. These subjects will be broken down into manageable projects.

Responsibilities:

Will assist or undertake identified items of research using a variety of data
Will need to present information in a useable form

Requirements:

Must be at least 16 years old
Must be detail oriented
Must keep clear, accurate and verifiable records and notes
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Must be able to work independently but towards team goals and timelines; can undertake projects with other volunteers
Must be familiar with research resources such as the internet, libraries, records offices
Must be able to cross reference information with two reliable sources to ensure accuracy
Will need to demonstrate ability to complete tasks
Will be required to their volunteer identification badge
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 9 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by the Lead Volunteer Researcher and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Special Events:

To assist staff with the preparation and set up, event supervision and take down of weddings and other special events both at the estate and also occasionally at other venues.

Responsibilities:

These volunteers will work alongside a staff member. Some of the activities that the volunteer may be asked to assist with are:

Set up and take down of chairs, both inside and outside venues
Greeting and directing guests
Assist with traffic control
Assist with management of cloakroom

Requirements:

Must be at least 16 years old
Capable of lifting up to 20 lbs.
Must be available during weekend and evening hours as well as some daytime shifts
Must have good presentation and communication skills
Must be able to follow instructions and work as part of a team
May be asked to perform miscellaneous duties as requested by the staff and agreed by the volunteer
Will be required to wear their volunteer identification badge
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 6 hours per month (2 x 3 hour shifts).
One year commitment.

Supervised by Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Staff Assistant:

This volunteer will provide administrative and general assistance to staff and will assist in providing an efficient and top quality experience for visitors and supporters.

Responsibilities:

Will help with administrative tasks such as general filing and preparation of mailings (newsletter)
Will assist with ensuring room setup for meetings and daily events
Will assist Events Coordinator with showing the chapel to prospective clients
May assist disabled guests throughout their visit to ensure safety and comfort
Occasional running of minor errands such as last minute event preparation using own vehicle at their own expense
Will maintain publicity file

Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Must have good presentation and communication skills
Must have basic administration skill and/or a facility for learning
Must be accurate and detail oriented
Must be willing to help with tasks that are often routine
Will be required to wear their volunteer identification badge
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 12 hours per month (1 x 3 hour shift per week) during the regular work hours
One year commitment

Supervised by the Mayslake Peabody Estate Supervisor and/or Mayslake Peabody Estate Events Coordinator

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Volunteer Forms | Nature Workday Schedule | The Spirit

Street Address: 3 S 580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187-8761
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857