Job Listing: Public Historian

Gunston Hall - Mason Neck, VA

Closes - open until filled

Position Title - Public Historian

Compensation - $70,000 - $80,000

Job Type - temporary (2 years), salaried, full-time, exempt

Apply - To apply please submit a cover letter and resume online at job.virginia.gov. If you need assistance in applying for this position, please contact Antone Pierucci, Deputy Director at antone.pierucci@gunstonhall.org.

Summary - George Mason’s Gunston Hall is seeking to hire a dynamic and engaging Public Historian to lead our 2-year long African American History and Culture Project. This is a restricted position that is expected to run from fall of 2023 to winter of 2025, with the possibility of a six-month extension. During this time, the Public Historian will serve as part of Gunston Hall’s Leadership Team, which includes all division heads and the Deputy Director, and will report directly to the Executive Director. 

Job Responsibilities- The Public Historian will be responsible for the successful execution of the African American History and Culture Project, which includes two connected initiatives:

1. East Yard Project: Gunston Hall has contracted with outside consultants to design and reconstruct the East Yard community based on archaeological investigations and comparable extant examples throughout the mid-Atlantic. The Public Historian will provide advice on the in-house review of this contracted design research. Additionally, the Public Historian will lead all interpretive efforts associated with the East Yard Project including researching and designing all interpretive material and associated programming (e.g. guided tours, school tours, etc.).
2. Descendant Community Research and Engagement: The Public Historian will work with the current research consultant to expand into new avenues of genealogical research to identify additional descendants. The Public Historian will also serve as the primary liaison with members of the descendant community and develop a framework for engaging those in the community moving forward. 

Qualifications - 

Experience:

• Content knowledge, by working experience or coursework, of 18th and 19th century history as it relates the African Diaspora and experiences of Africans and people of African descent that is applicable to Virginia and early America,
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, research and write articles and interpretive materials.
•  Demonstrated understanding of best practices associated with interpretation and audience engagement.
• Experience in historical interpretive planning.
• Ability to cultivate community relations with cultural groups and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Education:

• Advanced degree in History, Art History, Historic Preservation, Museum Studies, or related field. M.A. required, PhD preferred.

About Gunston Hall - Owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and operated by the Gunston Hall Board of Regents, Gunston Hall’s mission is to stimulate the exploration and understanding of the principles expressed by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a National Historic Landmark, Gunston Hall was built from 1755-1759. The almost 6000-acre plantation was the home of George and Ann Mason, their children, and hundreds of enslaved people, indentured servants, wageworkers, and tenant farmers. Today, the site strives to tell the stories of these diverse people and demonstrate how their stories contribute to our greater American narrative. The physical plant includes the house called Gunston Hall; five reconstructed outbuildings; a visitor center, museum, event facility, and museum shop; an on-going restoration of the 18thcentury garden, and 550 acres of diverse landscape situated along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.gunstonhall.org. Gunston Hall is an equal opportunity employer.