Docent/Tour Guide

Graycliff offers over twenty public tours a week between early April and late November (and a few during the winter months, too) and each is led by a trained docent/tour guide. Training on the history of the estate, the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Martin family (who commissioned Graycliff) is provided through a course offered each spring. Docents guide our wonderful visitors from throughout WNY, across the country, and around the globe. If you are fluent in a language in addition to English, we would particularly appreciate your help! If you would like to help with tours but are shy about public speaking, consider becoming a tour chaperone, and assist docents.  Requirements:  Docent Tour guides are required to attend training course, and be certified to give tours. Docents must be able to walk and stand for a minimum of one and 1/4 hour-long period (the length of a tour) and speak English clearly. Chaperones must also be able to walk and stand for a minimum of one hour-long period (the length of a tour) Weekdays or weekends.

Join the Green Team!

Enjoy nature and help restore a historic landmark--all at the same time! Join Graycliff's Green Team of gardeners and grounds keepers to help keep our 8.4 acres of grounds and gardens attractive to visitors from throughout the world. Help us preserve and maintain the gracious park-like setting of this magnificent jewel on the lake. Your help will be appreciated whether you like to work with others, or if you prefer to enjoy nature as you volunteer in a quiet corner of the estate.   Requirements:  Training provided as-you-go. Expertise in gardening appreciated, but not necessary. There are many different tasks to be done in maintaining our extensive grounds, ranging from equipment repair to digging to weeding to planting. Whatever your interests or skills, if you enjoy the out-of-doors and fresh air, come give us a hand. 

Pavilion Volunteer

Do you enjoy working with people?  Pavilion volunteers help in our gift shop, take tour reservations, answer questions about tours and direction, and just generally assist our many visitors.  Come join our happy team!
Requirements: Enjoy working with people; happy, calm demeanor.  Training provided.  Weekdays or weekends.

Graycliff--Office Assistance

At Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff, office help is treasured. With sending out regular mailings, taking reservations for tours, and the thousand other things done in our office, we could really use your help. 
Requirements:  Training is provided as you go, but we especially appreciate those who can give a few hours each week. Weekdays or weekends. 

Gift Shop Volunteer

Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff has a wonderful gift shop....and we could use your assistance in many ways.  If you have had experience in retail sales or expertise in designing retail displays for a small shop, please help our Gift Shop volunteers make the Pavilion Gift Shop a wonderful place to visit.
Requirements:  Weekdays or weekends; training in our computerized cash register system is provided.  Weekdays or weekends.

Special Events Volunteer

Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff holds many different special events each year, ranging from lectures to fundraising galas and parties to booths at fairs and festivals and other events. If you are a "people person" and are willing to donate your time and expertise, your help would be greatly appreciated either at Graycliff or other locations in Erie County. 
Requirements:  Training is available as-you-go, depending on the event or activity.  Weekdays or weekends.

Historic House Volunteer

Description:  If you've been keeping house for many years, you might have just the right skills to help keep Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff looking its best. Our historic buildings need tender loving care, and your assistance in dusting, vacuuming and the like would be greatly appreciated. Work with our team of Historic House volunteers to make Graycliff shine. 
Requirements:  Training is provided as you go. Weekdays or weekends.

Specialized Volunteering

Do you have specialized knowledge or skills that you might be willing to share with Graycliff?  Do you have professional legal, financial, or other abilities that you would be willing to donate as a volunteer?  Or professional expertise in HVAC, plumbing, electrical or any of the many skills needed to keep up an historic estate that you would be willing to contribute?  Consider helping Graycliff!
Requirements:  Depends on skills or knowledge base. Weekdays or weekends.