Historical Interpreter

Do you like interacting with the public? Do you feel energized by learning and sharing history? Have you ever thought you were born into the wrong time period? A position as a Historical Interpreter at Historic Richmond Town may be the job for you. Historic Richmond Town seeks Historical Interpreters to facilitate hands-on, discovery-based learning across educational and interpretive programming. 

Historical Interpreters are responsible for connecting visitors to the histories of Staten Island. Teaching programs that are interdisciplinary, bringing together history, art, science and technology, Historical Interpreters provide meaningful interpretation and impactful educational experiences to our community. Historical Interpreters have the unique privilege to expand narratives to include stories of underrepresented histories. 

Historic Richmond Town’s main campus is New York City’s living history village, comprising more than 30 historic buildings, with a historic artifact collection numbering over 60,000 pieces. The village focuses on the diverse social history of Staten Island, demonstrating foodways, shop and home trades, material culture, and the everyday lives of Staten Islanders from the 1640s to the 1860s. Historical Interpreters make the village come to life by teaching immersive field trips, leading interpretive tours, and co-leading workshops and classes. Interpreters also staff programs and events at partner schools, libraries and other community venues. Historical Interpreters will participate in training, wear historic costumes or museum branding, teach in historic structures, and learn the basics of historic trades & skills. Historical Interpreters report to the Interpretive Programs Coordinator.

Historic Richmond Town is proud to be an equal opportunity employment workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work and learning environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

Our People:

At Historic Richmond Town, we co-create cultural leaders who work to improve our community. Our people are united by a shared belief in the power and necessity of public history, and work together to effectively create meaningful experiences for our visitors.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Learn and teach inquiry-based history education programs, interpretive talks, and living history demonstrations of historic crafts by attending regularly-scheduled on-site trainings.
• Staff historic structures, providing interpretive talks and programs on-site, while maintaining visitor safety and answering questions.
• Set-up and break-down program spaces, including maintaining organization of program materials.
• Lend support to site-wide events and programs, including Richmond County Fair (Labor Day Weekend). 
• Helping out the team with other duties as needed. 

Qualifications

• Interest in and curiosity about American history
• Education and/or relevant museum/public education experience
• Customer service experience and/or training
• A passion for public history 
• An interest in living history
• Be able to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces
• Be willing and able to work inside historic structures and within a rural environment, as well as outdoors for extended periods
• Be able to sit or stand at a duty station for long periods of time during the workday
• Be able to work at a duty station alone and alongside fellow staff as scheduled
• Driver’s license and car a plus 
• Experience working in historic house museums a plus

Position Details

Part-time, seasonal
Pay rate: $16.50/hourly non-exempt
Start Date: February 2025

Benefits

This position comes with free parking and discounts to Historic Richmond Town events and Main Street Coffee at HRT.