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  • Ephrata Cloister

    Volunteer

Get Involved

Our warm and friendly spirit at the Ephrata Cloister began with the charity and welcoming efforts of the 18th century Sisters, Brothers, and Householder community members. It continues today where their history lives on because of our volunteers.

We have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities:

  • Tour Guides
  • Museum Store Assistants
  • School Program & Historic Demonstrators
  • Visitor Services / Front Desk Associates
  • Chorus Members
  • Landscape/Gardeners (Check out the Butterfly Garden

To learn more about volunteering at the Historic Ephrata Cloister contact us at 717-733-6600 or Ephrata1732@gmail.com.

For inquiries into our internship program, please direct correspondence to Elizabeth Bertheaud.

Ephrata Cloister Student Historian Program for Teens

Teens are encouraged to join our Student Historian program, an after school program that offers an introduction to 18th century history, trades, and crafts, along with teaching techniques in interpretation and public speaking. Student Historians participate in the site’s signature theatrical event, Lantern Tours, held each year in December during the Holidays.  Participants also have the opportunity to assist with special site events year-round.  The program is open to high school students ages 14 through 18. 

The 2024/2025 program will run weekly on Thursdays (3:30-4:45) Mid-September through December (which includes the Lantern Tours event on the evenings of December 27-30, 2024).  Beginning in January, the program will run every other Thursday (3:30-4:45) through Mid-May.

Student Historians 2024/2025 Program Application

For more information, program schedule, or for details on enrolling in the 2024/2025 program, contact:

Dan Roe, Museum Educator 2 at daroe@pa.gov 

Corporate and Non-Profit Organizations

Corporate and Non-Profit Organizations are welcome to contact us. We provide opportunities for corporate volunteer teams, return to work programs, and serve as a work site for adults with special needs. Please contact Elizabeth Bertheaud at ebertheaud@pa.gov

Volunteer of the Year 2024 – Sue Fisher

 

 

Ephrata Cloister

Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission:
Josh Shapiro, Governor – Hayley Haldeman, Chair – Andrea Lowery, Executive Director

Ephrata Cloister is one of 26 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History.

The Ephrata Cloister Associates is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, supporting the mission of preservation and education at this National Historic Landmark.

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Ephrata National Bank, Black Forest Brewery/Americana 1777 Inn, Blue Ridge, Conestoga Animal Hospital Inc., Country Homestead, Dairy Queen of Ephrata, Dr. David and Rebecca Fuchs, G.R. Klinefelter Underwriters, Inc., Gus’s Keystone Family Restaurant, Hampton Inn & Suites – Ephrata, Historic Smithton Inn/Weathered Vineyards Ephrata, Horst Auctioneers, New Cloister Restaurant, Olde Lincoln House, Pour Man’s Brewing, Rick Jackson, ELA, Rosenberger North America Akron LLC, Seventh Day Baptist Historical Library and Archives, Tru by Hilton Denver, PA, and Woman’s Club of Ephrata
Open Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm
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