join us as a volunteer
Volunteering at the funk heritage center
As Georgia's Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center, it is our mission to tell the story of the early Appalachian Settlers and Southeastern Indians through educational programming and the collection, care, and exhibition of art and artifacts. Our volunteers play a huge role in fulfilling our mission.
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the museum
the settlement
the settlement
Many people are surprised when they come into the museum for the first time. They say that from the front, the museum looks much smaller than it really is. Additionally, guests of the Funk Heritage Center often refer to it as a "hidden gem," and it is indeed a hidden gem. We'd love for others to discover this gem as well.
Within the Funk Heritage Center, we have six galleries. When you enter the museum, you are in the Grand Lobby, which we also call the Longhouse; this is one of the galleries. The Estelle Bennett Hughes Theater, for purposes of tours, is also considered a gallery. The other galleries are the Rogers Art Gallery, the Buffington Gallery (aka Trail of Tears Gallery), the Hall of the Ancients, and the Sellars Tool Gallery.
the settlement
the settlement
the settlement
The Appalachian Settlement is down a hill behind the museum. It is utilized most often for school tours and special events, such as the Timeline and the bluegrass festival.
The walk to the Settlement is wooded. Along the way, you cross a wide bridge (large enough for a vehicle to drive over for those who are unable to walk the trail) and then a narrower, wooden bridge. When you cross the second bridge, the area opens up to the Settlement. In the Settlement you'll find a blacksmith shop, the Cline cabin (an 1840s cabin), a sorghum mill, the Cherokee cabin, three covered wooden platforms, a covered area used for woodworking, a lean-to, a threshing barn, and a tater house. Depending on the time of year, you might also see the Three Sisters garden.
a peek at just some of the many things our volunteers do
Tom:
Our 2023-2024 Volunteer of the Year
Marilyn, in front of our burn-and-scrape dugout canoe, conducts a school tour of the Longhouse.
In the Hall of the Ancients, Gary explains how the Ancient Farmers lived (800 AD–1540 AD). This period is known as the Mississippian Period.
Also in the Hall of the Ancients, Barbara L. talks to school kids about the Pottery Makers (1000 BC–800 AD). This period is known as the Woodland Period.
In the Sellars Tool Gallery, Tom shows the students how to use a shaving horse and explains its purpose.
Dave demonstrates flintknapping for a college student.
A volunteer shows close-up action of blacksmithing.
Mark talks to school kids about being a blacksmith as Mike works in the background.
Students and adults alike gather around to watch the blacksmiths and listen as they explain the art of blacksmithing.
Mike is busy working as kids watch with interest.
The students are fascinated by the blacksmithing craft.
Blacksmithing is hard work!
Mark and Mike show a college student the art of blacksmithing.
When it's too cold to have an outdoor tour, Mark finds a way to get students excited about blacksmithing.
Like the blacksmiths, cabin ladies Peggy R. and Christy don't let the cold weather outside keep them from teaching old-time cabin living to students.
Peggy A. shows how much she enjoys volunteering as a cabin lady.
Students listen as Peggy R. and Pat describe cabin life on the frontier.
Peggy R. demonstrates the ways of 1840s cabin life for students and their teachers.
Susan M. brings pioneer music to students by playing a fretted dulcimer and singing along with it.
Marc talks to young students about Appalachian music ahead of playing instruments.
Like Susan, Marc plays a dulcimer, but his instrument is a hammered dulcimer.
Limberjack dolls, sometimes simply called dancing dolls, are often used in Appalachian music.
Pam smiles for the camera as she gets ready to demonstrate spinning for students.
On a cold day, Jen shows eighth-grade students the art of spinning.
Barbara B. gets the kids excited with her portrayal of Mary Musgrove.
Dave talks to students and teachers about woodworking and its role in frontier life.
Dave explains the purpose of an adze and demonstrates how to use it.
Marc shows off our Three Sisters garden and explains how the Three Sisters work together to thrive and survive.
Fellow volunteers, members, and other guests were impressed with Tom's three Lunch & Learn lectures in January.
Friendships are made! Barbara L. and Peggy A. enjoy some time together at a volunteer gathering.
At our special event to celebrate Native American Month, Dave demonstrates the proper technique of throwing an atlatl as Kelda stands by with darts.
Here is another shot of Dave showing how to use an atlatl. This time Mike stays ready with the darts.
Sheryl gives of her time by exhibiting her carvings and demonstrating her techniques at our Native American Month celebration. Fellow volunteers, Ariel and Jonathan, take a break to check out Sheryl's work.
Also at camp, Sandy and Harold patiently teach kids how to make pinch pots.
Margie and Terri teach students how to make sit-upons at summer camp.
Pat and Margie worked diligently during camp. On this final day, Pat shows off a child's artwork to parents.