Needs From: Volunteer OBX

Celebrate Independence Day—1850s style—at Island Farm! On Friday, July 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Farm will welcome visitors for a lively historic holiday featuring musket fire, traditional games, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Island Farm will be bustling with energy and celebration, and we invite volunteers to help bring this special day to life in the following roles:

Chicken Tender
Volunteers will provide scratch feed to visitors and offer guidance on how to safely feed and interact with our friendly farm chickens.

Craftsman
Paper hats were a popular and accessible form of festive headwear in 19th-century America, often worn during patriotic celebrations, parades, and community gatherings. Creating paper hats reflects the ingenuity and hands-on craftsmanship of the era, using simple materials to mark special occasions. Volunteers will assist staff and visitors in making paper hats, offering a fun, family-friendly activity that connects creativity with historical tradition.

Bubble Blowing
Using our special bubble wands, volunteers will help visitors create bubbles up to 15 feet long. This role includes demonstrating bubble techniques and assisting younger visitors as they learn to use the wands and enjoy a bit of old-fashioned outdoor fun.

All activities will take place outdoors. Volunteers should bring a snack, wear close-toed shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. Feel free to bring any additional items that help make your time at Island Farm festive and enjoyable.

Volunteer Shifts:

8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

11:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Three volunteers are needed for the morning shift and three for the afternoon shift. Please arrive promptly to meet with staff and receive a brief site orientation before the event begins.

All volunteer roles offer the opportunity to wear historic clothing, or an Island Farm t-shirt will be provided (and yours to keep). If you are interested in costuming for this event, please email the Administrative Coordinator.

Admission to the event is included with your volunteer contribution—blow bubbles, feed chickens, and make paper hats as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday!

Where will activities take place?
All activities will take place outdoors.

Are volunteer shifts family-friendly?
Yes. Volunteer shifts are family-friendly. All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal adult.

Are volunteer shifts accessible for those with mobility challenges?
Yes. All volunteer roles can be performed while seated and can be adapted for individuals with mobility challenges. Please email the Administrative Coordinator for additional details.

Tater Day takes place at Island Farm on Wednesday, June 17 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Come learn about all aspects of the harvest and cooking of a quintessential staple crop: the Irish potato! Volunteers have opportunities to get down and dirty with the following roles: potato digging in the garden along with our historical interpreters (opportunity for historic dress available) and frying potatoes with staff in the cookhouse for visitors to sample. Both roles provide the opportunity for historic dress, or an Island Farm t-shirt will be provided (to keep)! Volunteer with Island Farm to learn about the historic foodways of Roanoke Island and cultural traditions practiced throughout the year.

Volunteer shift(s) are 8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. OR 11:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Please bring a snack, work gloves (if desired), close-toed shoes, a reusable water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing (a hat and sunglasses are recommended). We’ll provide everything else you need for a productive and enjoyable day on the farm.

Join us for a hands-on day of welcoming the past into 2026!

Our Opening Day Preparations volunteer event is your chance to step behind the scenes of our historic farm and help bring it to life for the year ahead. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or visiting the area for the very first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with history, make new friends, and make a meaningful impact.

Volunteers will take part in a variety of seasonal spruce-up tasks that help the site shine for opening day. Activities may include beautifying the grounds, sweeping out historic buildings, washing windows, clearing debris, and freshening up our animal pastures. No previous experience is needed—just a willingness to roll up your sleeves and enjoy the fresh air. 

Please bring a snack, work gloves, close-toed shoes, a reusable water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothing (a hat and sunglasses are recommended). We’ll provide everything else you need for a productive and enjoyable day on the farm.

Come help us prepare the site for its exciting new season — your time and energy help make history happen!