Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

We are looking for people to assist us with our living history school day event. The park needs people to walk school groups around to different historical stations on Friday, May 5th.

The day will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. and the second tour will start at 12:00 p.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to interact with our living historians and interpreters to learn what it was like for families, like the Hulls, who lived in Tennessee during the 1870s.
Activities that will take place on this day include blacksmithing, fiber spinning, planting crops for the summer, woodworking. and much more. As you make your way around the park and speak with our resident farmers, you will learn that nothing came easy and everything had to be earned. We hope that by attending this event and immersing yourself in the early life of Cordell Hull and his family, you will learn how the small farm he grew up on in rural Pickett County, Tennessee came to shape his character later in life.

You must demonstrate an 1870s trade or profession. This is a juried event, so your clothing and any items used in your demonstration must be 1870s.

Description/Purpose: We are looking for an enthusiastic individuals to help us maintain our historical kitchen and herb garden here at Cordell Hull Birthplace! As a volunteer gardener, you will assist in maintaining the historical outdoor kitchen and herb gardens so we can inspire and delight visitors with quality plants and teach them the history of the site through these gardens.

Responsibilities: Work with park rangers and other seasonal staff to maintain our historical kitchen and herb gardens adjacent to the Hull Birthplace Cabin.

Required Skills/Tasks: Watering, weeding, tilling, able-bodied, and willing to teach and learn, willing to take guidance, enjoy being outdoors, advanced gardening knowledge is preferred.

Time Commitment and Schedule Details: We are open seven days a week from 9AM until 4:30PM, we are flexible on the days you are able to come and the hours you are willing to volunteer. This volunteer opportunity will be ongoing from April until the end of September.

Additional Information: Being flexible and able to work in various gardens. Water, gloves and tools will be provided by the park, but feel free to bring your own if you'd like! Be sure to wear appropriate/comfortable clothing and call the park office at 931-864-3247 if you are interested or have any questions!

Essential Eligibility Criteria: Herb and Kitchen Garden Program

Participants will need to be able to do the following independently or with assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment:

• Understand and follow directionsto avoid and/or manage risks.

• Tolerate the elements including temperature for 1-5 hours (depends on volunteer commitment).

• Preform self-care including maintaining nutrition and hydration, personal hygiene, and managing existing medical conditions.

• Be able to identify and recognize environmental risks, including potential hazardous animals, insects, and slippery terrain.

• Move over uneven terrain between the park office, herb garden, and kitchen garden up to 0.25 miles or 1,320 feet depending on garden bed.

• Wear all protective gear recommended or required for the work/service, including but not limited to protective eyewear, face mask or shield, gloves, helmet, footwear.

• Work responsibly and reliably with minimal supervision and/or on a team.

Join Our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program!

Help protect native ecosystems and restore the natural beauty of our local habitats by joining our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program! This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing invasive plant species that threaten the health and diversity of our environment.

What We’ll Be Removing:

Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

These non-native species outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, and disrupt natural ecological processes. Your help will make a real difference in preserving the local environment for future generations!

What to Expect:

Training and tools will be provided

Light to moderate physical activity

Opportunities to learn about native and invasive plant species