- Free general admission to the museum for volunteers and their guests
- Free admission to Summer Nights at Hagley for volunteers and their guests
- Volunteers working at special events such as Car Show and Craft Fair may enjoy free admission for themselves and up to 4 guests (this benefit does not include Fireworks)
- Discount at the Hagley Store
- Complimentary admission to area museums and gardens during Volunteer Appreciation Month in April
- Deductions on your federal income tax if you itemize deductions (see your tax professional)
- Use of the Hagley Library and Archives
- Opportunity to purchase Hagley membership at the reduced staff rate
- Opportunity to purchase four adult fireworks show tickets
Start your application here! Starting your application creates an account on MyVolunteerPage. Volunteers use this account to sign up for volunteer opportunities and log their hours. Once the application is received, the volunteer manager will reach out to schedule a short interview.
Yes, all volunteers over the age of 18 will complete a background check through AmericanChecked. This happens after you have completed your volunteer interview.
Most opportunities either host training prior to the event or offer on the job training. For more specialized roles, like in the library or gardens, we look for prior knowledge or experience in those areas.
We welcome volunteers aged 12 and up! Parent supervision is required while volunteering until the age of 15. Teen volunteers may only be eligible for certain activities based on their age. Contact the Volunteer Office for more information.
Hagley has more than 400 adult and teen volunteers.
Volunteers graciously gave over 8,400 hours in 2022!
Volunteers can complete as many hours as they wish! This can include monthly opportunities, once a year special events, or something new each week. Some opportunities are on a set schedule and others are flexible with dates.
• Assist at special events like the Fireworks, Car Show, and Craft Fair
• Interact with the public at the Hagley 5K, Summer Saturdays, and Summer Nights
• Promote curiosity and creativity at Science Saturday and Kid Inventors Day
• Teens can assist as Camp Counselors during Hagley Summer Camps
• Make handwork items to sell at Hagley events to benefit the school scholarship fund
• Work in the Workers’ Garden and E.I. du Pont Garden
• Help in the library, manuscripts and archives, objects collections and conservation
• Complete office administration tasks throughout the organization
• And more!
Volunteers are encouraged to seek out opportunities they will enjoy! Volunteers can move from one area to another by working with the volunteer manager to learn about the latest volunteer needs.
Yes! Groups may contact the volunteer coordinator to discuss details.
Hagley reports hours to Volunteer Delaware 50+, a statewide program to engage persons 50 and older in volunteer service.
Students in grades 9-12 can earn one elective credit towards graduation after completing 90 volunteer hours over two semesters (does not have to be consecutive semesters). The hours must be completed outside of the student’s regularly scheduled school day. Check with your school to make sure they will accept this type of credit!
Most opportunities take place outdoors, so please dress comfortably for the weather that day. Closed toe shoes and Hagley nametag are required for all events. Hagley T-shirts are available to volunteers who want one free of charge.
Volunteers may indicate their interest in an activity by logging into www.myvolunteerpage.com and clicking on the opportunities tab. The volunteer manager will assign volunteers and confirm when those assignments have been made. There may be a waitlist for popular activities like Science Saturday and the Fireworks.