Villa Finale
The First National Trust Historic Site in Texas
Guides at Villa Finale
Become a Guide at Villa Finale!Would you like to be a Guide at Villa Finale, the first National Trust Historic Site in Texas? We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who enjoy preservation, history, and working with the public. Villa Finale Guides will conduct private and public tours through Walter Mathis's home, as well as provide interpretive information for special events at the Visitor Center. Guides will also have the opportunity to train for specialized tours on a variety of subjects such as Napoleana, Texas furniture, ceramics and more.
Join our team!
Villa Finale is proud of its highly dedicated Volunteer Staff. Our next Guide training will be held in January, 2011. If you would like to join our ranks, click here to download a volunteer application.
We look forward to working with you!
Guide Training General Information
Villa Finale's Guide training for 2010 is now closed. We would like to thank our very first Guide trainees for their dedication and enthusiasm!
Our next Guide training will be held in January 2011 - exact date still to be determined.
The course will cover a variety of subjects including King William neighborhood history, decorative arts, building and landscape preservation, touring techniques and more.
Guides will be required to serve the minimum 25 hours of service required from all Volunteer Staff (15 for full-time students). Additionally, all Guide trainees must pass Villa Finale's Guide Training and commit to leading tours twice per month. (Villa Finale will be closed for maintenance at least one month per year at which time all Guides will get the month off.)
Guide trainees will have the opportunity to make up missed course sessions. However, we recommend trainees not miss more than two sessions in a row.
Interested Guide candidates must fill out a volunteer application, attend Volunteer Orientation, and submit to a background check before beginning Guide Training. For more information on Guide training and Villa Finale's volunteer program, please contact Sylvia Hohenshelt, Manager of Public Programs at (210) 223-9800 extension 34323. Or email at sylvia_hohenshelt@nthp.org.
Villa Finale's Guide training for 2010 is now closed. We would like to thank our very first Guide trainees for their dedication and enthusiasm!
Our next Guide training will be held in January 2011 - exact date still to be determined.
The course will cover a variety of subjects including King William neighborhood history, decorative arts, building and landscape preservation, touring techniques and more.
Guides will be required to serve the minimum 25 hours of service required from all Volunteer Staff (15 for full-time students). Additionally, all Guide trainees must pass Villa Finale's Guide Training and commit to leading tours twice per month. (Villa Finale will be closed for maintenance at least one month per year at which time all Guides will get the month off.)
Guide trainees will have the opportunity to make up missed course sessions. However, we recommend trainees not miss more than two sessions in a row.
Interested Guide candidates must fill out a volunteer application, attend Volunteer Orientation, and submit to a background check before beginning Guide Training. For more information on Guide training and Villa Finale's volunteer program, please contact Sylvia Hohenshelt, Manager of Public Programs at (210) 223-9800 extension 34323. Or email at sylvia_hohenshelt@nthp.org.
Not sure if guiding tours is right for you? Tour Assistants also needed!
Villa Finale will be displaying Walter Mathis's 12,000 piece collection of fine and decorative arts just as he meticulously arranged it throughout the house. In addition to having a Guide on every tour, Tour Assistants will follow groups throughout the house to provide extra security and assistance for people with disabilities. Although Tour Assistants do not provide interpretive content during the tour, they will have the opportunity to graduate to Guide status at a later date.
Tour Assistant Requirements
Tour Assistant candidates must enjoy working with the public, be able to multi-task, and have a good eye for security details.
All interested candidates must fill out a volunteer application, attend Volunteer Orientation, and submit to a background check.
Tour Assistants must serve the minimum 25 hours of service required from all Volunteer Staff (15 for full-time students) and attend some sessions of Guide Training (Guide Training begins May 15, 2010).
Tour Assistants must also be available to work a minimum of two tour days per month, Tuesday through Saturday (times to be determined).
Villa Finale will be closed at least one month per year at which time all Guides and Tour Assistants will have the time off.
Villa Finale will be displaying Walter Mathis's 12,000 piece collection of fine and decorative arts just as he meticulously arranged it throughout the house. In addition to having a Guide on every tour, Tour Assistants will follow groups throughout the house to provide extra security and assistance for people with disabilities. Although Tour Assistants do not provide interpretive content during the tour, they will have the opportunity to graduate to Guide status at a later date.
Tour Assistant Requirements
Tour Assistant candidates must enjoy working with the public, be able to multi-task, and have a good eye for security details.
All interested candidates must fill out a volunteer application, attend Volunteer Orientation, and submit to a background check.
Tour Assistants must serve the minimum 25 hours of service required from all Volunteer Staff (15 for full-time students) and attend some sessions of Guide Training (Guide Training begins May 15, 2010).
Tour Assistants must also be available to work a minimum of two tour days per month, Tuesday through Saturday (times to be determined).
Villa Finale will be closed at least one month per year at which time all Guides and Tour Assistants will have the time off.
Villa Finale Tour Logistics
Villa Finale will open to the public in October 2010 with Guide-led tours.
Villa Finale's introductory tour will last approximately 45 minutes.
Due to the high volume of collections within Villa Finale, all tour groups will be limited to six persons on most occasions.
Tours of Villa Finale will be offered Tuesday through Saturday (times still to be determined).
Villa Finale will open to the public in October 2010 with Guide-led tours.
Villa Finale's introductory tour will last approximately 45 minutes.
Due to the high volume of collections within Villa Finale, all tour groups will be limited to six persons on most occasions.
Tours of Villa Finale will be offered Tuesday through Saturday (times still to be determined).
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