EST. 1951 - celebrating 75 years
Our tours evolve
not to change the past,
but to share more of it.
ESTABLISHED 1951
The Virginia Guide Service, founded in 1951, is a completely student-run and independent organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the University of Virginia. Through honest, inclusive, and engaging storytelling, our guides strive to represent the diversity of student experiences while fostering a welcoming environment for all visitors.
Each semester, new trainees undergo a rigorous training process where they study UVA’s history, practice essential tour-giving skills, and receive mentorship from experienced guides, professors, and community leaders. Together, we are committed to providing the highest quality tour experience while honoring and expanding the University’s historical narrative—ensuring it remains accessible, accurate, and meaningful for generations to come.
The Guide Service is independent and volunteer-based, which gives each guide the opportunity to craft their own tour. Students are encouraged to follow their passion and engage deeply with history. If you would like to provide additional support, please consider donating to our day-to-day operations here. We appreciate your time and thank you for continuing to support our mission
- JOIN GUIDES
- JOIN GUIDES
- JOIN GUIDES
Step 1: Attend an Info Session and Learn About the Virginia Guides Service
Guides accepts new members at the beginning of each semester. These probationary members, known as “probies," spend a semester being trained by their Guides Probationary Chairs (fellow students and current Guides) and learning from older guides to prepare to give tours. Students trying out for Guides must be in their first, second, or third year, and should be able to commit to attending weekly Probie Class - a crash course in UVA history led by your Probie Chair - for three hours each Thursday night during their Probie Semester.
As the recruitment season begins, follow us on Instagram to keep up to date throughout the recruitment process! Our instagram will also give you a closer look at the regular happenings of the Virginia Guides Service-make sure to check out our student spotlights and takeovers, which let you hear from current Guides about their experiences in the organization!
Info Sessions: We ask that you attend an information session to learn more about the Virginia Guides Service and speak to current Guides. Attending information and Q&A sessions will help you learn about the try-out process, get tips from current guides, and learn more about what is expected of UGS members. Information sessions are mandatory and a great way to get your questions answered and better understand what makes UGS so great! Our general sessions this semester are:
The Rotunda Multipurpose Room is located in the hallway underneath the Rotunda Lawn-side before you enter the building itself.
Step 2: Prepare to Try Out
For our Fall 2024 recruitment season, you will give a 15 minute historical “trial tour” of the Lawn area to two current Guides (who will act as your "tourists"). The trial tour is meant to see how well you can craft an organized and meaningful tour, as well as to assess your public speaking abilities.
You will be able to sign up for a time slot between February 3rd through the 7th for your trial tour at one of our info sessions (which is why it is important to attend a session)! Other sign-up opportunities may be offered, and will be announced via Instagram. If you can't make it to the sign-up times, or need to cancel or reschedule your trial tour for any reason, you can reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs to see what slots are available.
To begin writing, we encourage you to refer to this historical fact sheet we have put together for you. Once you have written your tour, we recommend practicing giving your tour before you do so officially. As you prepare, please reach out to our Recruitment Co-Chairs, Goretty and Molly, for any help you may need. They are equipped to offer you advice on how to go about your tours, suggestions for what to include, and any help you might need to prepare! The Recruitment Co-Chairs have no say in the selection process, meaning that you can truly ask them anything - they're here to make sure you have the best possible experience trying out.
Step 3: Give Your Trial Tour
Before your trial tour, you will receive an email with the Lawn room number where your “tourists” will meet you for your trial tour. Please plan to arrive ten minutes early to help the process run smoothly.
We completely understand that giving a trial tour can be very nerve wracking, but we highly encourage you to just go ahead and do it! Your “tourists” are your biggest supporters and would love to see you do an incredible job. If you're feeling nervous, we strongly recommend reaching out to the Recruitment Co-Chairs who would be happy to help you with any concerns you may have.
Once you arrive, there will be a current Guide there to answer any last minute questions you may have and help you with what you may need then. Feel free to leave your belongings in this room and they will be happy to watch over your items. Your “tourists” will meet you at the room and they will provide some starting information. You can then walk with them to the starting location that you have selected for your tour before your time for the tour starts.
Step 4: Interview
At the end of your trial tour, your “tourists” will tell you when and where the list of students selected to receive an interview will be posted. The interview will be the week following trial tours, and is conducted by a panel of current guides who will assess your diplomacy and ability to improvise in response to tough tour questions. It's also a chance for you to share with us what sets you apart and would make you an excellent member of Guides. More information on the interview stage of the process is provided after trial tours have concluded. After the interview process, we will welcome new probationary members for the amazing semester ahead!
- JOIN GUIDES
- JOIN GUIDES
- JOIN GUIDES
SHED LIGHT
ON HISTORY
The Virginia Guides Service at UVA is an entirely student-run independent volunteer organization. If you would like to provide additional support, please consider donating to our day-to-day operations here. We appreciate your time and thank you for continuing to support our mission.