VOLUNTEER LINKS: Become a Volunteer | Volunteer for Spring Cleanup April 25
Volunteer
Our 1900’s historical village comes alive thanks to volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Every effort is made to match your skills to a rewarding volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and talent. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for a complete list of opportunities.
Event Volunteers
Host a building, serve snacks and beverages, lead activities, help with light maintenance, or showcase your musical talent or period craft. Most shifts are 3-4 hours long, with orientation and (optional) costumes provided! Please use the sign-up links below.
Dakota County Fair (August 10-16, 2026)
Our village is open daily with free admission for fair visitors to experience the village.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054AA8A72BA3F58-64010169-2026#/
Christmas in the Village (Dates TBD)
Our holiday celebration happens annually on the first two weekends of December.
Office, Admin, Planning and Decorating
Volunteers are needed throughout the year. New ideas and talent are always welcome!
To get started, click Become a Volunteer and complete the online registration form.
Volunteer Coordinator
651-460-8050, ext. 1
dchvoffice@dakotacity.org
Education Coordinator
education@dakotacity.org
VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Guide tours, play the part of town citizen, interpret a 1900-era building, give demonstrations including blacksmithing, carpentry, printing, cooking, baking, sewing, needlework, laundry and others. Costumes and training are provided by Dakota City.
Teach students in a one-room school setting during spring and fall school programs. Interpret during special events and the Dakota County Fair. Need not be a certified teacher; costumes and training are provided by Dakota City.
Violin/fiddle, guitar, banjo, piano/pump organ, harmonica, dulcimer, auto harp, accordion, and brass instruments musicians sometimes needed. Contact the office for more information.
Perform period music, also barbershop quartets, vaudeville acts.
Dress in costume, act in skits or short vignettes at events.
Sew, mend and repair clothing for volunteers to wear in the Village; catalog costumes for use in the costume room.
Catalog and research books, photos, clothing, furniture and other artifacts. Develop, research and fabricate exhibits with the help of the Curator and Exhibit Coordinator.
Prepare food and drink, greet and serve customers, handle food sales and keep the café clean. Sites include: Dakota City Café, Drugstore, lemonade cart, and corn stand.
Help with groundskeeping, paint, garden, carpentry, repair items, clean, and other general maintenance duties.
Preparation and set up, admission gate, drive tractors and/or guide trolleys, tend wood stoves, run errands, check on volunteers in buildings, shovel walkways and general event preparation and clean-up.
Work on antique tractors used in parades and on display; assist in maintenance and repair of agricultural implements. The men meet every Tuesday morning at Dakota City. They start their 9am meeting with coffee and donuts then work on the equipment until noon. Come as often as you are able.
Join the group of women who come in on Tuesday mornings from 9am – noon and help with a variety of tasks supporting the educational programs and the Village. One week might be helping with office work such as getting mailings out, another week might be doing crafts for an upcoming event. There is time for socializing with a mid-morning coffee and donut break. Many hands get a lot of work done! Come as often as you are able.
Help bring warmth and charm to our historic buildings by creating seasonal or heritage-inspired décor. Typical materials include vintage ornaments, pine cones, candy canes, and artificial evergreens (no fresh greens allowed). You may choose a theme—traditional, cultural, or seasonal—and we’ll review your plan, open the building when you’re available, and provide any supplies we have on hand. Decorating begins in late September–October, and while we can help source additional items, please note our budget is limited.