Research Historian

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the city’s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our City Hall/Market Square Research Historian position located in the Archaeology Division in the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA).

An Overview

The City Hall/Market Square Research Historian will compile, develop, and research a comprehensive documentary history study. Market Square has been the center of civic activity for Alexandrians since the City’s founding in 1749. The current City Hall, built in 1871, is a source of community pride and serves as a workplace for more than 300 City employees. Alexandria’s City Hall and Market House was listed in 1984 on the National Register of Historic Places for its contributions to our understanding of the architecture, commerce, and politics/government. After many years of service, major updates are needed throughout City Hall to repair aging building components, improve operating systems, optimize space utilization, improve building circulation and wayfinding, and enhance security. The City Hall Renovation Project is in progress and will provide a revitalized, safe, and sustainable environment to better serve City staff, Alexandria residents, and visitors well into the future.

This project addresses the need for a comprehensive documentary study of the City Hall/Market Square block during the City’s renovation project by hiring a research historian to carry out the careful and meticulous primary source research into city and library archives and archaeological records and to summarize findings in a publicly accessible report.

This project is comprised of two main components. First, the study will develop a historical context for the interpretation of the City Hall and Market Square block, and identify, as precisely as possible, the owners, occupants, and built elements within the one-block area bounded by King, Cameron, N. Fairfax, and N. Royal Streets. These elements include a market house, courthouse, jail, town hall, schoolhouse, fire companies, taverns, alleys, and a variety of businesses. Second, the study will develop a narrative about the use of this block from its urban use of slavery, through Emancipation and Reconstruction, to the emergence of the Jim Crow era.

The work of the Research Historian is performed under the direct supervision of the City Archaeologist in coordination with the staff Archaeologists, the City Historian, and under the general supervision of the Director of OHA. This is a one-year, grant funded project and position.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have a thorough knowledge of 18th and 19th century regional history as well as experience with archival records and primary and secondary sources that pertain to Alexandria and the broader region. Specifically, we seek proven experience with archival research, African American history, and Geographic Information System (GIS) software to map and visualize spatial data. The job requires an individual with the ability to: communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; create publishable, compelling and sound scholarship on urban and African American history; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees of the City of Alexandria, and the community. The work will take place in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and at local and regional archives.

The Opportunity – Examples of Work

• Provides research assistance to OHA Director, City Archaeologist, and City Historian on Alexandria’s City history, specifically the City Hall and Market Square block;
• Establishes narratives within the City Hall and Market Square block drawing from primary sources like relevant deeds, plats, titles and utilizes additional material to develop parcel-by-parcel histories including tax and census records, will books, maps, newspapers, probate records, mutual insurance policies, archaeological data, etc.
• Develops a historical context for the interpretation of the City Hall and Market Square block, identifying the owners, occupations, and built elements of original and subsequent parcels;
• Compiles historical sketches on the landowners and occupants of the block, including white, free black, and enslaved residents, tenants, business owners and laborers;
• Integrates secondary source material with original, primary source research to create a comprehensive block study;
• Creates GIS shapefiles and associated data sets to organize, analyze, and visualize the lot subdivision and use history of the City Hall/Market Square block;
• Archives copies of primary source material, maintaining an index and finding guide;
• Lectures and speaks to groups and organizations on City Hall and Market Square history;
• Compiles statistics and prepares monthly progress reports;
• Performs related work as required.

About the Department

OHA enhances the quality of life for city residents and visitors by preserving and interpreting Alexandria's historic properties, archaeological sites, cultural resources, artifact collections, objects, archives, records, and personal stories and by encouraging audiences to recognize Alexandria's diverse historic heritage and its place within the broader context of American history.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in History and three years of experience in historical research work involving the use of research methodology; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in history or closely related subject and three years of experience in historical research involving the use of research methodology. Experience with conducting large-scale, primary source documentary research that culminates in substantive history reports. Minimum one year of experience conducting complex, independent primary source document research. Experience using GIS or digital mapping to answer historical questions, including creating and working with shapefiles, geodatabases, data entry, map production, georeferencing, and storymaps preferred. A valid driver's license and the ability to pass a required City driving class.

Notes

This is a one-year term limited, non-benefitted postion.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks to include, but not limited to, a criminal background screening.