Volunteering at Storrowton and The Big E

It Takes a Village

It takes the commitment of so many to maintain, promote, and staff our Village. Storrowton Village hosts over 100 volunteers each year who lead costumed museum tours, work in our gardens, facilitate our school field trip programs and so much more.

Storrowton Village and the Creative Arts of the Big E is launching a new Volunteer Outreach program. To learn more about it see here!

Brief History of Storrowton VIllage

On the site of the Home Department, Helen Storrow had the Gilbert Farmhouse moved from West Brookfield, Massachusetts, into its place in 1927. Following the popularity of the Gilbert Farmhouse and early New England activities, all historic buildings were in place around the Village Green by 1930 and was coined Storrowton Village. Storrowton Village Museum today runs multiple education programs and supports the greater mission of the Eastern States Exposition. Visit this page to learn more about the history of the oldest historical village reconstruction in the USA!

About Volunteering In the VIllage

Looking for flexible volunteering hours where you get to travel back in time? Volunteer with Storrowton Village Museum and get transported back in time to the 1840s. Educate visitors on the history of the historic homes and what life would have been like. Practice vintage fashion and not vintage values while bringing the public on a time traveling tour. With flexible volunteering opportunities, Storrowton Village offers learning, community, and the opportunity to meet people from all over the country during The Big E. Opportunities include being an interpreter during The Big E, being an interpreter during Yuletide, joining our sewing club, getting your hands dirty in our gardens, and teaching kids during our school programs.

Want to learn more about becoming a volunteer? Contact Adult Education Coordinator, Samantha DePergola at SDePergola@thebige.com for more information. Ready to sign up to be a volunteer?

To volunteer with Storrowton Village, you can apply at storrowtonvillage.com/volunteer!

Making History Accessible:

Preserving the history of the Pioneer Valley has always been a group effort through the various museums and organizations who have made it their priority. Historians are integral to making sure the history of the Pioneer Valley is recorded and made accessible. Learn how you can start helping preserve history through the presentation, Making Preservation Accessible. Students, rising historians and rising museum professionals will learn what opportunities they have available to them to get started. Attendees will leave this presentation with the knowledge of how they might be able to start a collection of their own or a collection at their organization, what preservation techniques should be used, and how volunteering with Storrowton Village can help you begin your journey.

Exploring the Exposition:

With it’s first fair in 1916, the Eastern States Exposition has spent over a century being committed to excellence in providing year-round opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry and family entertainment while preserving our New England heritage. Through this over one hundred year long history, the Exposition has endured flooding and wars while bringing unique opportunities to visitors of the fair. Learn about the evolution of the Exposition and how you can get involved with the organization today with volunteering opportunities across the grounds, including the historic Storrowton Village.

Volunteer Rewards

Storrowton Village's volunteers get several benefits for their work.
All Big E 6-Shift Volunteers*

Invited to the annual volunteer dinner
Admission for you and a guest for 3 Village events annually
20% discount on youth program admission
20% discount at ESE retail locations
2 Meal tickets for the Moses Cafeteria during the Big E
2 guest admission tickets to the Big E
17 Day pass to the Big E and invitation to pre and post gatherings
Parking at Gate 1 during the fair
Complimentary snacks and beverages
SVM shirt if you return for a 2nd Big E!

Add to Your Perks: Give More to Get More!

For every non-Big E event, gain access to a workshop
1 additional meal ticket for the Moses Cafeteria for every additional shift after your 6th
1 additional Big E admission ticket for a guest for every 2 shifts after your 6th
Volunteer 100 hours or more in a calendar year to receive the June Cook Volunteer Service Award
Join a specialty club or group for even more!
- Blacksmithing (Limited Enrollment)
- Gardening
- School Programs
- Sewing

To volunteer with Storrowton Village, you can apply at storrowtonvillage.com/volunteer

Volunteer with Creative Arts of The Big E

Brief History

The Home Department was started in 1917. In 1932, the First National Quilt Contest was held with more than 600 quilts submitted. This contest was held at Eastern States Exposition for three more years. It then resumed from 1954 through 1966. The Quilt Contest became the Eastern States Creative Craft Adventure in 1967 and included a wide range of crafts from rugs to embroidery and quilts. The event was held in August, prior to the opening of The Fair, and only the top winners were exhibited during the fair. In 2007, the department was renamed Creative Arts and all entries received were displayed during the fair. Today, Creative Arts holds over 40 competitions during The Big E.

About Volunteering with Creative Arts

Have a passion for crafting or interested in learning more? Creative Arts at The Big E provides a great environment to be exposed to various crafts. Interact with fairgoers and answer questions they may have about the entries on display. Learn from exhibitors about their projects. Witness people demonstrating their crafts during the fair. Creative Arts has opportunities for all levels of skills and time commitments.

Want to learn more about becoming a volunteer? Contact CreativeArts@thebige.com for more information. Ready to sign up to be a volunteer? You can sign up at thebige.com/p/competitions/creative-arts/join-the-creative-arts-team!

Opportunities while volunteering include:

Pre-fair set up, assisting judges, serving as an Ambassador during the fair, post-fair entry pick-up.
Demonstrating- individuals and groups can show how to do their crafts to fairgoers
Contests- enter various departments for the chance to win ribbons, premium money and more. This is also a chance for exposure for new artists.
Judging- learn what judges look for and have the opportunity to become a judge.
Donation Opportunities- encourage beginners to continue their craft, recognize exhibitors for their accomplishments via special recognition, promotion of your group through printed material and social media.

Volunteer Benefits with Creative Arts of The Big E

Creative Arts volunteers get several benefits for their work.

Invited to the annual volunteer dinner
Meal tickets for the Moses Cafeteria during The Big E
Parking in free employee parking lots with a shuttle to the grounds during the fair
1 additional Big E admission ticket for every 8 hours volunteered before and after the fair
Complimentary snacks and beverages

All Big E 5-Shift Volunteers: Give More to Get More!

*17 Day pass to the Big E and invitation to pre and post gatherings
20% discount at ESE retail locations
Volunteer 20 hours or more for an invitation for our volunteer trip
Volunteer 100 hours or more in a calendar year to receive a pin

To learn about the new Volunteer Outreach program please click here!