Job Description

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute , and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Senior Historian conducts and leads historical research that informs and shapes the Foundation’s interpretive program. They train and advise interpretive staff and serve as a subject matter expert in designated areas of early American history. The role develops research strategies, initiates major research initiatives, and functions as a primary authority within their area of expertise.

Main Duties:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a senior leader on research teams supporting major institutional initiatives, as assigned by the Director of Historical Research.
• Conducts and directs historical research in support of interpretive strategy, institutional priorities, and the Foundation’s educational mission.
• Presents research findings through lectures, audio-visual presentations, tours, reports, memoranda, conference papers, articles, book chapters, monographs, professional blogs, and other public or scholarly forums.
• Leads assigned historical research projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget parameters; provides guidance and indirect oversight to research assistants, associates, fellows, interns, and volunteers.
• Recommends and develops new research initiatives aligned with Foundation objectives and strategic priorities.
• Maintains active professional relationships with external scholars and researchers within areas of specialization.
• Responds to complex historical inquiries; critiques scholarly works; monitors emerging scholarship and interpretive methodologies; and integrates current research into institutional programming.
• Consults with program development teams, site managers, and interpretive staff to ensure programming, character development, tours, and educational content reflect current scholarship and best practices.
• Collaborates with colleagues to develop and deliver training courses within assigned areas of expertise.
• Represents the Division on assigned committees, providing expert historical perspective.
• Reviews print and digital materials published by the Foundation to ensure accuracy and scholarly integrity.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an
exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

***Must reside in or be ready to relocate to Virginia***

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early American History, American Studies, or a closely related field and six (6) years of directly relevant professional experience; OR
• Master’s degree in Early American History, American Studies, or a closely related field and four (4) years of directly relevant professional experience.
• Experience writing on historical topics for public and academic audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctorate or terminal degree with academic specialization in History, American Studies, or a related field.
• Significant experience conducting advanced/scholarly historical research in a museum or in an academically related position.
• Three or more years’ experience teaching as instructor of record at the collegiate or secondary level.
• Experience working in historical interpretive environment, such as a living history museum or equivalent.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Demonstrated expertise in designing, leading, and executing original research projects independently and as the lead of a research team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage both public and academic audiences.
• Ability to teach, mentor, and present material to audiences across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in primary source research, including strong familiarity with current historical scholarship and rigorous citation standards.
• Advanced subject matter expertise in colonial Virginia and colonial British America.
• Strong analytical ability to synthesize complex information, with a deep understanding of American history and culture, particularly within the Virginia context.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Requires prolonged time at computer
• Requires prolonged time reading
• Requires occasional periods of talking to audiences

Typical Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, regular position (40hours/week)