Step back in time...Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, a living history farm and museum, depicts life in the Pikes Peak Region from the perspective of the people who lived here. Four time periods are interpreted at the Ranch: c. 1800 American Indian Area (Ute and Plains Indian cultures); late 1860’s Galloway Homestead; 1880’s Rock Ledge House and working farm; the 1907 Orchard House, a country estate; and a working blacksmith shop. Some of the Smith’s hand-forged items are available for sale in Heritage Shop, run by the Living History Association, which offers other goods that reflect the visitor’s experience.
As a volunteer or docent, you make history a living experience for Ranch visitors. Docents dress in period-appropriate clothing and demonstrate everyday life in a “simpler time,” which you will discover the 19th century was not.
A docent in the Rock Ledge House will show visitors that when the railroad came to the Pikes Peak Region comforts and technology followed. It was just as hard to make a living in the semiarid landscape, but the Chambers family was successful at truck farming because they were innovative.
The Orchard House is an elegant country estate built by General William J. Palmer for William and Charlotte Schlater, his sister-in-law and her husband. Edwardian society-even here in the west adhered to strict social etiquette. Teas and afternoon visitations were important for social contact. |
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Informative, hands-on training sessions are provided to new docents over three Saturdays in May, at which you acquire the skills necessary to interpret 19th century daily life.
Volunteers are asked to work one shift per week. Shifts are from 9:45 AM to 1:30 PM or 1:30 PM to 5:15 PM, Wednesday to Sunday throughout June, July, and August. Additional volunteers are needed in the fall for special events. Training sessions are held in the Carriage House Education Center and throughout the Rock Ledge Site.
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To sign up or for more information, contact Elizabeth Barber, Lead Interpreter, at (719) 578-6777 or call the City of Colorado Springs Volunteer Office at (719) 385-6520.
Junior Docent applications available at
1401 Recreation Way,
Colorado Springs, CO Deadline for applications and interviews for the 2008 season has already passed, but you are invited to inquire about next years' opportunities. |
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