Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship

Collections That Care; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library invites an emerging leader in horticulture to join the Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship. The fellow will gain hands-on experience caring for a public historic garden and landscape and learn from horticulture staff while pursuing a curatorial research project.

The program runs for one year at 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE, with compensation of $19/hour and a 35-hour work week, starting January 5, 2027.

Qualifications

• Enrolled student or recent graduate with six semesters of horticulture coursework.
• Graduate with one year of hands-on horticulture experience preferred.
• Ability to operate tools and follow safety instructions.

Responsibilities

• Learn and assist with all aspects of caring for a public historic garden and landscape.
• Contribute to safety, planting, pruning, mowing, and other maintenance tasks.
• Complete curatorial work on a plant grouping or a research project.
• Get exposure to budgeting, fundraising, programming, and garden governance.

Skills

Garden tools safety

Oral & written instructions

Gardening basics

Clear communication

Integrated Pest Management

Plant taxonomy

Education

Horticulture coursework

Horticulture degree preferred

Job description

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

The Ellen B. Cleveland Horticultural Fellowship (“Fellowship”) is an opportunity for an emerging leader in horticulture to work at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (“Winterthur”) to learn and experience all aspects of caring for a public historic garden and landscape. The fellow will work one-on-one under the direction of horticulture staff as well as independently to preserve and maintain the historic design intent of the Winterthur Garden and Estate. They will learn safety and horticultural techniques, e.g., fertilizing, planting, pruning, snow removal, leaf removal, mowing, spraying pesticides, mulching, and weed-eating. They will also learn the cultural requirements and botanical nomenclature of plants and about the design principles and history of the Winterthur Garden. In addition, they will be introduced to other aspects of the management of a public garden, such as budgeting, fundraising, programming, etc. This Fellowship is an outstanding learning and growth opportunity for a recent graduate considering a career in public gardens. The fellow will also be expected to complete curatorial work on a particular plant grouping or a research project on a relevant topic, e.g., pest/disease control, Beech Leaf Disease, etc.

Key Details

Compensation: $19/hour

Duration: 1 year, with opportunity for renewal (stars January 5, 2027)

Schedule: FT (35 hours/week)

Deadline: December 1, 2026

Location: 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807

Eligibility

Minimum Experience: Enrolled student or recent graduate of an accredited college or university with six semesters of completed coursework in horticulture or a related field

Preferred Experience: Graduate of an accredited college or university in horticulture or a related field with one year of practical, hands-on experience in horticulture, with some time devoted to the maintenance of gardens, preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to operate horticultural hand-tools and power equipment safely.
• Ability to execute oral and written directions.
• Basic knowledge of gardening techniques and terminology.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing.
• Basic knowledge of I.P.M and plant taxonomy and anatomy.

About

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.