Volunteering at Alexandria Archaeology

Learn new skills, and indulge your curiosity about the past. Excavation, artifact study, historical research, computer work, oral history, editing, teaching and other opportunities may be seasonally available. Each year more than 100 volunteers work alongside the City Archaeologists and contribute close to 10,000 hours to discovering and sharing our heritage.
Page updated on May 30, 2023 at 11:33 AM

Volunteering at Alexandria Archaeology

Volunteer needs are project-based and sometimes seasonal. Current volunteer openings are listed near the bottom of this page. Volunteers must:

  • be at least 16 years of age (no exceptions)
  • sign and abide by the Code of Ethics for Alexandria Archaeology

Steps to volunteer:

  1. Find a volunteer opening you are interested in that matches your availability. Email Archaeology@alexandriava.gov specifying the role you are interested in. 
  2. A staff member will send you an application to fill out and information on upcoming trainings and orientations. 
  3. Attend a scheduled orientation and begin volunteering.

What is it Like to Volunteer?

Volunteers make valuable contributions in many areas, some requiring prior knowledge and skill, and others requiring only the willingness to help. Some contribute as little as six hours a month, and others work with us once a week. Sometimes volunteers work in groups, others work alone on special projects, and some choose to work virtually on their own schedule. Volunteers are invited to special events throughout the year, including the annual Volunteer Recognition Party. 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Transcribing Historical Documents

Volunteers are needed to help transcribe 18th century store ledgers. This project can be either virtual on your own schedule, or in-person between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays or Saturdays at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. If interested, please email archaeology@alexandriava.gov and specify that you are interested in the Shopping Stories transcription project. 

Working on a crowd-sourced transcribing platform, volunteers will transcribe the ledgers and journals into the provided template and be able to participate in the review of previous transcriptions. All volunteers will go through an orientation and training, and then will have regular trainings throughout the project. Shopping habits found within the ledger and journal pages are of particular interest to archaeologists because they provide minute details about not only who frequented the stores, but what was purchased, when the purchases were made, and how they were paid for. Imagine being able to identify an artifact excavated in the 21st-century by whom and when it was acquired! This transcribing phase of the project focuses on the Alexandria community and its consumer habits.

Artifact Processing

All available spots are currently full. Please check back in the fall to see if there are openings. Volunteers work one day per week, between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on either Wednesdays or Thursdays. 

Learn to identify the artifacts found on archaeological sites. Volunteers wash, mark, photograph and catalogue artifacts, as needed, and they may occasionally assist with other areas of collections management. Experienced volunteers are sometimes needed with photographing, cataloging, and other special skills. A lab orientation is required for all volunteers.

Education and Special Events

We are currently accepting applications for Education and Special Event volunteers. Most events take place during the day on Saturdays and last several hours. Alexandria Archaeology takes part in festivals and other public events throughout the year. Volunteers are needed who are comfortable with public speaking or teaching. Training materials are provided ahead of each event. Please email archaeology@alexandriava.gov and specify that you are interested in helping out with occasional special events.

 

Library

Alexandria Archaeology is currently seeking a volunteer to help catalog and label books and journals in our collection. Experience working with databases is required, but training will be provided on an individual basis. If interested, please email archaeology@alexandriava.gov and specify that you are interested in helping with the library project. The finished library database will allow staff and other researchers to quickly find the resources they need.

Clerical

Alexandria Archaeology is currently seeking a volunteer to help scan and file Alexandria Archaeological Commission notebooks. The volunteer will work one day per week (Tuesday-Friday during office hours), and should be detail oriented and have organizational skills. Training will be provided on an individual basis. If interested, please email archaeology@alexandriava.gov and specify that you are interested in helping with the AAC clerical project. 

Other Ways to Get Involved

If you are younger than 16, or do not have the time to volunteer regularly, you may be interested in joining the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology or volunteering at another Alexandria museum. 

Code of Ethics for Alexandria Archaeology

As an Alexandria Archaeology Volunteer, I agree to:

  • Support conservation and preservation of archaeological resources.
  • Refrain from engaging in any illegal or unethical conduct including buying, selling, exchange or unscientific collection of artifacts.
  • Refrain from participating in any excavation that is not authorized and supervised by professionally qualified archaeologists and institutions.
  • Comply fully with instructions given by Alexandria Archaeology personnel in regard to volunteer activities and keep my supervisor fully informed of any changes in my schedule.
  • Contribute to public education by accurately representing the work of Alexandria Archaeology.

Alexandria Archaeology reserves the right to dismiss any volunteer who does not follow the above Code of Ethics.