Curator

DHRM; Rockville (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is seeking a Curator to lead research and interpretation for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. You will oversee permanent galleries, guide content development for refreshes, and support exhibitions with scholarly resources and education programs.

Responsibilities include collections development, research support for partnerships, and creating public programming. Strong emphasis on diversity, collaboration, and professional standards in museum work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of History, American Studies, Archaeology, or a related field— preferably supported by advanced coursework with a focus on the 18th century, Virginia history, and the American Revolution and its legacies.
• Knowledge of and experience using material culture to interpret the history of the American Revolution and its legacies today.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best museums practices including but not limited to collections management, exhibition development, acquisitions, and object handling.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, research and write articles, exhibition content, and interpretive materials.
• Ability to work effectively on teams with all levels of staff and stakeholders with diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion as it relates to broadening the historical narrative.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to meet multiple deliverables with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, database software and tools, as well as museum industry software such as collections management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead curatorial research, scholarship, and interpretation of historical content for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, with an emphasis on diverse perspectives and the legacies of the American Revolution.
• Provide curatorial oversight of the museum’s permanent galleries, including research and content development for gallery refreshes.
• Support the development of special exhibitions through historical research, exhibit writing, image and artifact identification, and development of related educational resources.
• Participate in collections development, including recommendations for acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, and appropriate use of historical and archaeological materials.
• Conduct research and provide historical expertise to support exhibitions, programs, publications, staff initiatives, donors, and external partners.
• Develop and deliver lectures, staff training, educational programs, and other public and professional programming that expands access to and understanding of the museum’s collections and history.
• Collaborate with curatorial colleagues, internal departments, external partners, and subject‑matter experts on exhibitions, interpretation, collections, and research initiatives.
• Support collections access, digitization, documentation, and responsible stewardship of artifacts in the Commonwealth’s permanent collection and on loan.
• Contribute to peer review of public‑facing content and assist with educational materials, lesson plans, and other interpretive resources.
• Maintain professional standards for historical research, collections stewardship, confidentiality, and collaboration, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

History knowledge

American Studies

Archaeology

Museum practices

Content writing

Team collaboration

Diversity & inclusion

Organization skills

Office software

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Collections management systems

Job description

Title: Curator

State Role Title:Hist/Arch & Preserv III

Hiring Range: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00

Agency: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Location:American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Agency Website:jyfmuseums.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

About Us

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administers two museums of early American history, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Exhibition and Curatorial Services Overview

The Exhibition and Curatorial Services team at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is responsible for the professional and thoughtful stewardship of our artifact collection, exhibits, physical storage spaces, research and scholarship related to our two museums - Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Job Duties

Lead curatorial research, scholarship, and interpretation of historical content for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, with an emphasis on diverse perspectives and the legacies of the American Revolution.

Provide curatorial oversight of the museum’s permanent galleries, including research and content development for gallery refreshes.

• Support the development of special exhibitions through historical research, exhibit writing, image and artifact identification, and development of related educational resources.
• Participate in collections development, including recommendations for acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, and appropriate use of historical and archaeological materials.
• Conduct research and provide historical expertise to support exhibitions, programs, publications, staff initiatives, donors, and external partners.
• Develop and deliver lectures, staff training, educational programs, and other public and professional programming that expands access to and understanding of the museum’s collections and history.
• Collaborate with curatorial colleagues, internal departments, external partners, and subject‑matter experts on exhibitions, interpretation, collections, and research initiatives.
• Support collections access, digitization, documentation, and responsible stewardship of artifacts in the Commonwealth’s permanent collection and on loan.
• Contribute to peer review of public‑facing content and assist with educational materials, lesson plans, and other interpretive resources.
• Maintain professional standards for historical research, collections stewardship, confidentiality, and collaboration, and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of History, American Studies, Archaeology, or a related field— preferably supported by advanced coursework with a focus on the 18th century, Virginia history, and the American Revolution and its legacies.
• Knowledge of and experience using material culture to interpret the history of the American Revolution and its legacies today.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best museums practices including but not limited to collections management, exhibition development, acquisitions, and object handling.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, research and write articles, exhibition content, and interpretive materials.
• Ability to work effectively on teams with all levels of staff and stakeholders with diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion as it relates to broadening the historical narrative.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to meet multiple deliverables with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software, database software and tools, as well as museum industry software such as collections management systems.

Preferred

• Significant expertise in exhibition planning and development.
• Previous professional experience in museums, material culture, research, or related field.

Contact Information

Name: Lee Ann Shelhorse

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service‑Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 02 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight TimeApplications close: 01 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time