Membership   |   Volunteering at Sotterley

Historic Sotterley, Inc. - Membership

Historic Sotterley, Inc. preserves, researches and interprets Sotterley Plantation’s diverse cultures and environments and serves as a public education resource. Sotterley Plantation is a unique experience that encompasses 300 years of continuous history. The Sotterley Mansion is truly one of America’s great houses. We’re fortunate that the house and the Plantation are still here and available for public enjoyment with its open and sweeping views, its grounds and buildings, and its aura of the past.

Sotterley has been well loved by past generations, and now by the members of a foundation who raise money for its maintenance, preservation, and operation. A small staff also provides and develops educational and interpretive programs, and facilitates events. As a non-profit organization, Historic Sotterley, Inc. depends upon the generosity of its members for this essential funding. By joining Sotterley, or by renewing your membership, you help ensure that, at Sotterley, history will see its fourth century.

Historic Sotterley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. All members receive a subscription to our newsletter and an invitation to Members Only Events. At each membership level, additional benefits are offered.

Download the Sotterley Membership Form (Word)
(If you have any problems with this form, please use the below contact information
so we can assist you)

For more information, please contact us at officemanager@sotterley.org or
800-681-0850. Or, you may contact us in writing at:

Historic Sotterley, Inc.
P. O. Box 67
Hollywood, MD 20636

Volunteering at Sotterley

Volunteer Coordinator may be reached
by phone at 301-373-2280
or by email at volunteer@sotterley.org

Click Here to Download Volunteer Application form

Approximately 160 Sotterley volunteers put in a total of more than 20,000 hours each year. Every volunteer opportunity at Sotterley is based on furthering our mission: to preserve, research and interpret Sotterley Plantation’s diverse cultures and environments and to serve as a public educational resource.

Standards and Training

Volunteering at Sotterley, just like anywhere else, means a commitment of time, usually on-site. The public, other volunteers, and a small staff rely on the essential participation of volunteers for all site events and operations.

All volunteers take "Sotterley 101" because volunteer stewardship and interaction with the public are essential. Training includes general site history, familiarity with the site map and site operations, overview of education programs, current restoration steps and what’s next, security and safety information, and rules for appropriate on-site conduct.

"Sotterley 102" is for volunteers having lots of public interaction. This training includes more detailed Sotterley history and site information, how to run the cash register and the rest of the Gift Shop.

"Sotterley 501" is aimed at those with the most public contact – interpreters. The focus is docent training, emphasizing provision of accurate information to the public. Training also includes how to manage "challenging circumstances" (e.g., unexpectedly shortened tour time, grumpy visitors, inclement weather).

Volunteer Opportunities