Volunteer
El Rancho de Las Golondrinas could not operate without the help of its dedicated volunteers.
If you enjoy the history and culture of New Mexico, consider volunteering at Las Golondrinas. We host 55,000 visitors annually from around the world and always need talented history interpreters to answer questions, guide tours and demonstrate what life was like at an authentic Spanish Period rancho.
Volunteering at our beautiful 500-acre museum is very rewarding. We work with your schedule to make donating your time at Las Golondrinas a positive experience.
Activities
Our volunteers bring diverse interests and talents to the Museum. We appreciate contributions in a wide range of areas. However, no experience is required—all training is provided.
Some of the opportunities include:
- Interpreting History
- Greeting Guests
- Guiding Tours
- Conducting arts & crafts activities with children and adults
- Cooking and food demonstrations
- Weaving and colcha embroidery
- Blacksmithing
- Assisting with running the mills
- Helping out in the Museum Store
- Assisting with office projects
Become a Volunteer!
2023 Volunteer of the Year – Jim Harsh
Volunteers of the Year
Every year, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas names a new “Volunteer of the Year”. These hardworking individuals are regular contributors to the museum’s core of dedicated volunteers. They volunteer a high number of hours, regularly participate at festivals and events, and typically provide a unique service to the museum that is above and beyond the regular call of duty. It is always a difficult choice as El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is blessed with some of the hardest working volunteers in the museum industry, without whom, Las Golondrinas could not provide the fun and educational family-friendly programming that it does!
Previous Volunteers of the Year
YEAR/VOLUNTEER
2023 – Jim Harsh
2022 – Oscar Rodriguez, Julia Gomez, Doug Ash
2021 – Marlene Jackson
2020 – Museum Closed – COVID
2019 – Cathy Greco and Jerry Kerr
2018 – Pedro Martinez
2017 – Sandee Rudnick and Ron Goodman
2016– Barbara Rudolf and Richard Gonzales
2015– Barbara Anderson-Acosta and Mary Ann Hart
2014 – Keith Austin and Donald Coleman
2013 – Inger Seitz
2012 – Doug Lonngren
2011 – Patricia and Rocky Tucker
2010 – David Geary and Larry Marken
2009 – The Blais Family (Hanno, Nicol, Drake & Tala)
2008 – Elizabeth McLaughlin and Gordon Mark
2007 – David Van De Valde
2006 – Tim Willson
2005 – Martha Anne Freeman & Frances Potter
2004 – Alfredo Baca
2003 – Amata Boccella
2002 – Dick Daly
2001 – Peter Gonzalez
2001 – Peter Gonzalez
2000 – Manuel Lopez
1999 – Ann Kennedy and Nancy Porter
1998 – Bunny Huffman
1997 – Dale Kavula
1996 – John Eldridge
1995 – The Herwig Family (James, Luise, Gunther, Anneliese)
1994 – Norm Jordan
1993 – Roberto Baca
1992 – Carol Treat
1991 – Jack Kennedy
1990 – Earl Porter
1989 – Margaret West
1988 – Doug Peterson
1987 – Rudy Herrera
1986 – Anita Thomas
