Volunteer

The Appalachian Women’s Museum is powered by volunteers with a variety of skill sets. The list below represents some of the main volunteer activities. Contact us if you are interested, by email at museum@appwomen.org or call 828-507-6920.

Volunteer duties:

House Maintenance: Like all old houses and buildings regular upkeep and cleaning are key to keeping the 1908 buildings in place for another 100 plus years. We are looking for a couple handy individuals who can help with the honey-do list. Tasks include light electrical work, light carpentry, window washing, insulation, etc. 

Museum Docents: Docents open the house for visitors during our regular open hours on Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. They welcome visitors, answer questions and talk about the history of the hosue, the exhibits held inside and the organization. This is a great way to interact with our community and visitors to the area. Docents are provided information about the organizaiton and the house to share. Our goal is to add deocents so that we can open the hosue for more hours every week. 

Event Coordinators: Annually we need volunteers to help coordinate and run our two big events Airing of the Quilts in the spring and Music on the Porch in the fall. We are also intersted in event ideas for life-long learning experiences and childrens groups. We are at a turning point in the life cycle of the AWM and new ideas to interact with our community are welcome! 

Though we are within the site and sounds of Dillsboro there is the sense of being in a different time when you sit on the porch listening to the creek behind the house and the wind in the trees. Come visit the museum as a guest and come back again as a regular volunteer.

Become a Friend

When you become a FRIEND of AWM in addition to the satisfaction of knowing future generations will understand the contributions these women made, you will receive a newsletter with updates on the house and be part of framing the new direction of the organization.

In 2025, we rolled out a sustaining donor program. These monthly contributions ensure that we can cover the monthly operating costs of the organization and fund a much-needed part-time House Manager position. This position is central to moving into the next stage for the AWM, engaging with the community.

Please consider giving  “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” a special person or event in your life. AWM is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

You can easily give online using the “Fund the Farmstead” section on the right side of each page on this website.

Levels of Giving:
Friend – $25 – $49;  Supporter -$50 – $199;  Sponsor -$200 – $499; Benefactor -$500 – $999; Patron – $1,000 and UP

In Memory of these Special People

Minnie Lee (Ward) Monteith ………………………………given by Cathy Busick & Family
Texas Eloise (Carnes) Chambers …………………………given by Cathy Busick & Family
Dorothy Dishman………………………………………………..given by Sylvia Smythe
Tinnie Arrington………………………………………………….given by Virginia Arrington Justice
Peggy (Molden) Arrington……………………………………given by Virginia Arrington Justice
Margaret Geraldine Teague…………………………………given by Candace Walton
The pioneer Bumgarner women…………………………..given by Tracy Whitaker
The Monteith Sisters……………………………………………given by Anne Copeland
Sylvanus Durl Copeland……………………………………….given by Anne Copeland
Miranda Palestine (Pallie) Queen Monteith…………given by Karen Galloway
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Sandee Thomas
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Roy Osborn
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Roberta Buckner
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by LaJean Grannan
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Tom and Melanie Tabor
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Billy Smith
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Gerald and Mary Alton
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by James Smith
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Roberta Buckner
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Tim Osment
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Suzanne McDowell
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Tom and Emma Wertenberger
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by M. Kelly
Amy Smith…………………………………………………given by Ken and Evelyn Zulla

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In Honor of:

Admiral Paul and Cathy Busick Wedding – Given by:
Marilyn Monteith Dalton
Paul Flood
Donna Johnson
Ellen and Ron Witko
Preston and Carol McMillan
Pat Carbone
Admiral Ed and Ann Barrett
Jeffrey Lehman
Matt and Pam Vaughn
Charles and Marlayne Harris
Joe and Helen Butler
Rich and Connie Elkovich
Bill and Merrilyn Williams
Skip and Karen Platt
Al and Susan Stewart
Ken and Virginia Miller
Al and Jonnie Fulton
Don and Kitty Winchester