Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff Wachtel

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we have a lot to be thankful for here at Historic Richmond Town! Our tried and true force of volunteers do everything from greet guests in the visitor center and Museum, perform a variety of important roles at our special events, serve as exhibit explainers, offer their unique talents in many other areas and SO MUCH MORE!

Meet Visitor Services Volunteer, Jeff Wachtel, who you can see every Sunday greeting visitors in our Museum, as well as performing a host of duties at all of our annual special events like Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm and The Richmond County Fair.


Why did you decide to become a volunteer at HRT?
I have lived on staten island for 42 years and was ignorant of the history of staten island. I thought volunteering at HRT was a wonderful means to learn the history while participating in the programming that the organization provides

How much time do you put into volunteering?
I volunteer for about five hours every Sunday in the Museum and volunteer at all the special events that take place at HRT.

What kind of volunteer work do you do here?
I am a greeter in the Historical Museum as well as a wayfinder for our visitors. I also perform a variety of tasks where needed at all of HRT’s special events and programs throughout the year.

What has been your favorite moment as a volunteer?
I enjoyed the 4th of July celebration and running the Pumpkin Chuck in October during our Pumpkin Picking season.

What kind of people would you recommend to volunteer at HRT?
Historic Richmond Town is a great places for energetic, retired people to find a new creative outlet.

How has volunteering changed you or your outlook on life?
I hope that I can give back to the community and maybe make someone’s day a little brighter. Before coming to HRT, I volunteered at the nursing home for over 30 years. I saw the joy on the residents face when I came each day. In a similar way, after coming out of pandemic isolation for two years, I saw the joy on peoples faces who attended the HRT events after so much time away and I was happy to be a part of that.

How has volunteering at HRT helped connect you with the community?
I have met many wonderful knowledgable people in my time volunteering at HRT. Since I live about 1/2 mile away, HRT is part of my community, and I am excited to be a more tangible part of it.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a volunteer at HRT?
I hope to use my experience volunteering at special events in a more substantial way and assist more with the planning, organization, and logistics side of HRT’s special events and programs.

Amy Kennard