Shirley & Richard Roberts Associate Architectural Historian

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 Shirley & Richard Roberts Associate Architectural Historian conducts historical and architectural research designed to inform and support the Foundation’s educational, preservation, collections, and interpretive programs. This position coordinates the production of public programming, research reports, and responses to internal and external questions. They are a vital member of the Grainger Department of Architectural Preservation and Research team.

Main Duties:

• Conducts independent original research and fieldwork on early structures in support of the major preservation and interpretive goals and educational mission of the Foundation.
• Prepares analytical and interpretive reports, including but not limited to historic structures reports, architectural history for use in public programs, internal training, scholarly journals, monographs, and in-house interpretive reports or other appropriate venues to support the educational and preservation mission of the Foundation.
• Uses expertise and advanced knowledge to properly document buildings and architectural features using measured drawings, photography, and architectural descriptions to the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) standards.
• Proposes appropriate research strategies, methodologies, and techniques. Provides input into the development of ongoing research projects.
• orks with internal and external teams to stay up to date on areas of specialization related to the role, successful completion of projects, and Foundation preservation efforts.
• Responds to requests for information, critiques current scholarship, keeps abreast of recent literature, and maintains awareness of state-of-the-art research.
• Trains staff and conducts/lectures on accurate and updated architectural history, making improvements and adjustments to training as needed based on new findings/research, for tours to groups including the general public, donor groups, school groups, and professional groups.
• Presents lectures and audio-visual presentations that are rooted in research and historical insights to internal and external audiences.
• Performs other related tasks as required.
• This position might require evening and weekend hours due to donor events, conferences, or fieldwork needs
  
  

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in historic preservation, architectural history, history, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of relevant research experience in historic preservation or architectural history.
• Experience with hand and computer aided documentation, design, and fieldwork.
• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.
• Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
• May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
• May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc...
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in historic preservation, architectural history, history, or a related field.
• Experience using AutoCAD or other computer-aided design software.
• Previous experience preparing analytical and interpretive reports.
  
  

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Must have an in depth understanding of English and American architecture of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries as well as knowledge of colonial material culture and economic and social conditions.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to prepare reports and articles and the ability to give presentations and tours.
• Must have excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills and be able to manage multiple tasks and to respond to urgent critical needs effectively and efficiently.
• Must be able to develop and conduct field work and research projects independently and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite.
  
  

Physical & Environmental Demands:

• Constant periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer (up to 8 hrs/shift)
• Occasional prolonged periods of standing (up to 2 hours/shift)
• Occasional climbing on ladders and scaffolding (up to 2 hours/shift)
• Occasional work outdoors in heat and cold (up to 2 hours/shift)
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (up to 2 hrs/shift)
  
  

Typical Work Schedule: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with limited evening and weekend hours due to donor events, conferences, or fieldwork needs.