What are the responsibilities and job description for the Curator of Historic Landscapes position at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation?
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 88 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 Curator of Historic Landscapes will lead the research, interpretation, and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg's historic landscapes, including 18th-century landscapes, colonial revival gardens, natural woodlands, and the original streetscape. This role is critical in developing and implementing a comprehensive landscape master plan, conducting research on how humans shaped Williamsburg's landscape, and collaborating with internal teams from Landscape Services, Historic Area, Development, and other external partners. The Curator will guide garden restoration, ensure historical accuracy in landscape maintenance, and support interpretive initiatives. Additionally, the Curator will engage in public presentations, participate in professional conferences, and work with donors to secure support for landscape initiatives. The position will be integral to the development and implementation of a comprehensive landscape master plan that will guide the stewardship, restoration, and interpretation of Colonial Williamsburg's historic landscape resources, which include 18th-century landscapes, 20th-century colonial revival gardens, natural woodlands, and the original streetscape of the colonial town.
Essential Functions:
Required: Master's degree in landscape architecture, garden/landscape history, or a related field; five to seven years of experience in a similar or related position.
Preferred: Licensed landscape architect.
Qualifications:
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 88 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 Curator of Historic Landscapes will lead the research, interpretation, and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg's historic landscapes, including 18th-century landscapes, colonial revival gardens, natural woodlands, and the original streetscape. This role is critical in developing and implementing a comprehensive landscape master plan, conducting research on how humans shaped Williamsburg's landscape, and collaborating with internal teams from Landscape Services, Historic Area, Development, and other external partners. The Curator will guide garden restoration, ensure historical accuracy in landscape maintenance, and support interpretive initiatives. Additionally, the Curator will engage in public presentations, participate in professional conferences, and work with donors to secure support for landscape initiatives. The position will be integral to the development and implementation of a comprehensive landscape master plan that will guide the stewardship, restoration, and interpretation of Colonial Williamsburg's historic landscape resources, which include 18th-century landscapes, 20th-century colonial revival gardens, natural woodlands, and the original streetscape of the colonial town.
Essential Functions:
- Acts as project manager for the creation of the Master Landscape Plan.
- Collaborates with the Director of Landscape Services to implement the master landscape plan and ensure gardens and associated landscapes are appropriately maintained to ensure historic authenticity.
- Provide guidance to the Director of Landscape Services on the appropriate treatment for modem infrastructure projects to ensure the use of historically appropriate materials, plants, and methods.
- Participate in the Annual Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium and contribute public presentations on new research at events onsite as well as represent Colonial Williamsburg at professional conferences.
- Coordinate with the Office of Development to interface with donors and donor groups to cultivate and steward financial support oflandscape initiatives.
- Develop initiatives that further the horticultural knowledge and function of Colonial Williamsburg.
- Conduct research into the ways humans, both individually and as a community, shaped the landscape of Williamsburg through time, with a particular focus on the 18th century. The research should inform the public about the restoration and maintenance of Colonial Williamsburg's landscape resources.
- Develop interpretive and programming initiatives for gardens and landscapes within the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg.
- Work with appropriate preservation and research disciplines to develop restoration plans for historic landscapes.
- Work collaboratively with the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Architectural Preservation and Research to develop plans for new garden restorations.
- Oversee the research, scholarship, and public interpretation of Colonial Williamsburg's historic landscape resources.
- Advance our horticultural knowledge through research and collaboration with the Landscape Services team and related partners across the organization.
Required: Master's degree in landscape architecture, garden/landscape history, or a related field; five to seven years of experience in a similar or related position.
Preferred: Licensed landscape architect.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated research proficiency using a variety of sources; familiarity with 18th-century American or English landscape design or garden history and plant nomenclature
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other leaders and staff departments
- Ability to develop and implement improvements to historic landscapes
- Demonstrated self-directed learner with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- High level of organization and attention to details
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- Excellent partnership and relationship builder
