Historian

Wine Industry Expo; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery is seeking a Historian to deliver engaging tours and educational programs that bring the site's rich history to life for visitors. You will collaborate with team members to maintain consistency and quality in interpretive presentations.

The role requires public speaking or teaching experience, a customer-oriented approach, and flexibility for weekend/evening events. A high school diploma is required, with a BA in Public History preferred.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Oral communication

Discipline & reliability

Info synthesis

Initiative & leadership

Education

Public speaking/teaching experience

Experience with public

Museum/hospitality experience

HS diploma or GED; BA preferred

Job description

Job Title

Historian

Department

Historic Programming

Reports to

Assistant Director of Historic Programming

Classification

Part-time or Full-time; Hourly; Non-exempt

Type

In-person

About the Position

he 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.

Responsibilities

• onduct 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. W
• elcome the public and provide general directions to guests that pertain to exhibits and points of interest on-site. A
• ctively engage guests of the site between tours to enhance their overall experience. D
• isplay a customer-oriented attitude while interacting with large groups of people daily. A
• ssist 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. P
• articipate in training programs and staff meetings to expand knowledge of the site and to strengthen interpretive skills. U
• pdate and modify tours as new or relevant information becomes available and for changing exhibits. A
• ssist with special events and programs, often held on the weekends and during evenings. L
• ead guided educational tours and programs for school-age groups. C
• omplete administrative assignments and projects when tours are not in session, i
• ncluding research-focused objectives. P
• erform other duties as assigned. R

Required Skills/Abilities

• xcellent oral communication skills. D
• isciplined and reliable A
• ble to assimilate information and impart it in an engaging, coherent, and factual manner M
• ust demonstrate initiative, leadership qualities, and flexibility. E

Education/Experience

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

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• ust be available as scheduled, including weekends and holidays. B
• elle Meade Historic Site & Winery is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; the work s
• chedule for this position reflects these hours I
• nvolves a mix of indoor work for planned events and outdoor activities for walking t
• ours with exposure to various weather conditions P
• osition 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 s
• afely. M
• ust be able to provide necessary provisions for individuals with diverse mobility n
• eeds. T