Historian

Historian

About the Position The Historian plays a crucial role in bringing the rich history of the Belle Meade Historic Site to life for visitors. Responsibilities include delivering engaging tours and educational programs that showcase our heritage. Historians collaborate with fellow team members and departmental staff to ensure consistency and excellence in our historical presentations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conduct tours of the Mansion and site for guests of all ages in a personable and knowledgeable manner, while providing accurate information relevant to the major themes of the site’s history.
• Welcome the public and provide general directions to guests that pertain to exhibits and points of interest on-site.
• actively engage guests of the site between tours to enhance their overall experience.
• Display a customer-oriented attitude while interacting with large groups of people daily.
• assist in providing security for the site, buildings, and collections. Help ensure the safety of guests; respond calmly and professionally to emergencies following all institutional guidelines.
• participate in training programs and staff meetings to expand knowledge of the site and to strengthen interpretive skills.
• update and modify tours as new or relevant information becomes available and for changing exhibits.
• assist with special events and programs, often held on the weekends and during evenings.
• lead guided educational tours and programs for school-age groups.
• complete administrative assignments and projects when tours are not in session, including research-focused objectives.
• perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Disciplined and reliable
• able to assimilate information and impart it in an engaging, coherent, and factual manner
• must demonstrate initiative, leadership qualities, and flexibility.

Education/Experience

• public speaking and/or teaching experience with an interest in history is ideal.
• experience working with the general public is a plus.
• knowledge or previous experience in a museum and/or hospitality setting is preferred.
• high school diploma or GED required. A bachelor’s degree in Public History or related field is preferred but not required.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• must be available as scheduled, including weekends and holidays.
• Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; the work schedule for this position reflects these hours.
• involves a mix of indoor work for planned events and outdoor activities for walking tours with exposure to various weather conditions.
• position requires prolonged standing and walking with the ability to bend, stoop, squat, turn, and pivot. Stamina is required to navigate uneven terrain and lead tours safely.
• must be able to provide necessary provisions for individuals with diverse mobility needs.