What Would You Do on Noah’s Ark?

When you visit the life-size Noah’s Ark at the Ark Encounter, you’ll see Noah’s family taking part in a variety of jobs that might have needed to be performed during their time on the ark.

There were many different jobs on the ark—which one would you want?

Below are just a few that might have been needed.

Animal Care

The themed animal enclosures on Deck Two display full-scale representations of potential designs for time-saving animal care systems. Included are semiautomated food and water feeders. Members of Noah’s family can be seen utilizing the overhead catwalks or even feeding a favorite animal by hand.

These large animal enclosures include feeding systems that consist of funneled bamboo chutes leading from the catwalks to food troughs in the cages below. The watering systems offer a similar degree of automation. Massive, vacuum-fed water tanks maintain water levels in dishes accessible from two or more enclosures. When drained, the tanks can be refilled from the catwalk by prying a central rod upward, which simultaneously corks the lower outlet and uncorks the upper inlet. The reverse process restores the vacuum seal.

Blacksmith

Genesis 4:22 describes Tubal-Cain as an instructor of bronze and iron craftsmen. It is possible that one or more of Noah’s family members also learned this trade, which could have come in handy during the year of the flood.

Cooking

While most of the foodstuffs would be stored elsewhere in the ark, the kitchen in the Living Quarters area on Deck 3 is stocked with a variety of herbs and spices, as well as a range of utensils for preparing meals for the family. Shem’s wife, Ar’yel, can be seen working on a dish.

A stone oven could be used for baking bread, and a selection of cooking vessels could be used for making soup or hot drinks.

Gardening

The Living Quarters also includes many items Noah’s family could use for everyday life on the ark, including a large garden area featured near the light well in this area. Herbs and vegetables that thrive in low-light conditions could have supplemented family meals. The third deck would receive more sunlight than the others if the ark had the capability to let light in from the roof area.

Music and Arts

Genesis 4:21 mentions musical instruments prior to the flood. Japheth is shown in his room in the Living Quarters playing the flute, while his wife Rayneh displays her artistic talent and livens the place up a little by painting some pottery.

Woodworking

The fact that Noah built the ark demonstrates his proficiency in woodworking, so it should come as no surprise to see a workshop in our life-size Noah’s Ark. This room serves as another reminder that contrary to popular opinion, ancient people were intelligent and highly skilled.

Being on the ark for about a year with thousands of animals would inevitably require maintenance. Damaged cages and tools could be repaired or replaced. It is also possible that someone onboard the ark worked with wood as a hobby.

During your visit to the Ark Encounter, be sure to look all around you and find each member of Noah’s family hard at work. Start planning your trip today!

Work Where You Can Make an Eternal Impact

And if you are interested in working at the Ark Encounter, you are in luck! We are gearing up for our busy season by offering open interviews for our seasonal positions in Admissions, Culinary, Guest Services, Housekeeping, and Retail.

Stop by Mt. Olivet Christian Church to apply for a seasonal job, be interviewed, and potentially be offered a position all in the same day!

• Saturday, March 29: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Thursday, May 29: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 12: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 16: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

If you are interested in applying for a position at the Ark Encounter but cannot join us for our job fair, please apply online! A complete list of open positions is available on our jobs page.

Join us for our upcoming open interviews, or apply online today and be part of our team at the Ark Encounter, where you can make an impact on the lives of people around the world this summer.