Volunteer Opportunities
"Spring Thing" volunteer at Smith Rock State Park
Contact Matt Huerter
503-879-5814
matt.huerter@oregon.gov

Day-Use Host

Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area

Needed From September 1, 2019
Needed To October 31, 2019

We would love to have you come host at Fort Yamhill State Heritage site! If you are interested in being part of Oregon State Park's efforts to preserve our past and use it to educate our present, read on to learn more about this exciting volunteer opportunity:

Built in 1856 to regulate the eastern border of the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation, Fort Yamhill represented a time of transition for the people of the Northwest. The fort served to ease tension between settlers and natives, regulating trade and traffic between the two communities during a period where these activities were often interrupted by conflict. Due in no small part to extensive archaeological and historical efforts at the site, Fort Yamhill is one of the best-preserved forts in the Northwest from the mid-19th century.

Visiting Fort Yamhill today offers an insight into the physical and emotional hardships endured by those who lived there and in the surrounding communities, and of how these personal narratives fit within the broader currents of Oregon and U.S. history from 1856-1866. Exhibits and cultural restoration are provided in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.

Host duties at Fort Yamhill include a mix of interpretation and maintenance, with things such as leading interpretive tours, providing roving interpretation, raising and lowering the flag, mowing, checking the restroom supplies and sweeping, litter patrol, leaf blowing, painting, cleaning interpretive panels, light trail maintenance, making visitor contacts, answering questions, and providing park security and presence. The site is a full hook up with laundry facilities onsite. Must be able to walk uphill 1 mile.

Fort Yamhill is located 5 minutes from the town of Grand Ronde, and is only 40 minutes away from Pacific City and the beautiful Oregon Coast.

If this sounds intriguing to you, please contact Ranger Matt Huerter.

We look forward to meeting you!