Volunteer Opportunities at Mount Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery is a one-of-a-kind environment that features an extraordinary landscape. Maintaining the vast amount of grounds requires a great deal of volunteer effort and community support. Volunteering at Mount Hope offers you a chance to make a personal connection with the cemetery and become an ambassador for this significant community asset and local landmark. Mount Hope Cemetery and the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery are always looking to expand its volunteerism corps. Volunteers work on a variety of activities that help to further the cemetery's mission as a place of beauty and commemoration for families and visitors as well as the preservation of the cemetery's cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Volunteer events are held rain or shine. Volunteers must be able to lift 30lbs, and dress weather and work appropriately (boots and long pants - no sandals please). Tools, gloves and water are provided, but feel free to bring your own provisions. Sunscreen and insect repellent is advised. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a chaperon at all times while on the grounds. Click here for volunteer event listings and on-line registration.
Landscaping/Gardening
Landscape volunteers are led by experienced cemetery landscape professionals through routine landscaping maintenance (such as mulching, weeding, raking, and planting) and special projects. Events are held every 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9 - 11 a.m., April through October, click the link to register for events. Individuals, families, and religious, school, civic/community or corporate groups of five (5) or more are welcome to contact us to organize additional volunteering events.
Gardening volunteers help revitalize and maintain gardens and significant grave sites within Mount Hope Cemetery. Volunteers are responsible for planting, weeding, and watering specific sites throughout the planting season (May – October) under the direction of a master gardener affiliated with the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery. Volunteers provide their own tools, and can choose to work alone or in groups. Individuals, families and community groups are welcome.
A number of opportunities exist outside of landscaping and grounds work, and are briefly explained below. If you would like to contribute your time, talent and expertise in support of this significant community asset and historic landmark, please complete our online form. You will be contacted for an in-person or telephone interview as opportunities become available. Please contact us with any questions. Thank you for your interest in Mount Hope.
Tour Guides
The Friends of Mount Hope host a variety of cemetery tours throughout the year and provide training sessions for people interested in becoming a tour guide. This training includes cemetery orientation, biographical information on early residents, and accompanying an experienced tour guide. This is a wonderful way to share your enthusiasm and experience in local history with cemetery visitors.
Docents
Docents enhance the experience of visitors by greeting guests, distributing helpful brochures and maps, and providing general information relating to the cemetery’s “permanent residents” and scheduled events. An orientation session is afforded for people interested in becoming docents.
Support for Special Events
Special events volunteers greet and register event participants, sell merchandise, and serve refreshments, and set-up for special programming among many duties.
Fundraising
Volunteers assist in myriad activities associated with specific fundraising campaigns, including public relations and planning and participating in events. The cemetery’s current focus is a two-year fundraising campaign, Reforest Mount Hope, which was kicked off on October 3, 2013. The campaign’s goal is to raise $70,000 to replant between 200 and 250 trees at Mount Hope. Click here to view the progress of the Reforest Mount Hope campaign.