LIVERMORE – Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is preparing for its spring/summer tourist season and is seeking volunteers to be part of the team that brings history to life for visitors.

Tour guides fulfill an important role at Norlands as they interact with people who are here for the first time and people who are returning to a familiar place.

Volunteers walk with them around, share the story of the sons and daughters of the Livermore Washburn family, demonstrate how education was provided in the 1850s in the one-room schoolhouse, visit a Universalist Meeting House and facilitate tours the mansion built by the Washburn sons.

The tour season will start in April and go through Columbus Day weekend, afternoons Tuesday through Saturday. Training, beginning with an orientation meeting, will take place through March.

Staff will also offer classes for volunteers who would like to present an hour-long program to bus tour groups.

The Meal, Laugh and Learn programs include a “country” lunch, an in-depth presentation of the family and a “typical day at school” experience in the schoolhouse. Volunteers receive training, a period costume, reading materials and coaching to learn the craft of presenting an enjoyable learning experience.

Recently Nancey Drinkwine, a former interpreter, current volunteer and member of the board of trustees, stepped into the role of the Norlands volunteer coordinator.

Norlands has a variety of volunteer positions available besides leading tours. Those who have a talent or a skill should contact Drinkwine at 897-4366 or [email protected].