The Edward A. Chappell and Susan L. Buck Architectural Research Fellowship

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

This fellowship honors the legacy of the late Edward A. Chappell, Shirley and Richard Roberts Director of Architectural Research at Colonial Williamsburg. Created to foster the study and recording of early buildings in the Chesapeake region through fieldwork using measured drawings, photographs, text, publication, and other media. The candidate will submit fieldwork proposals to support current Department of Architectural Preservation and Research needs, including but not limited to strategic projects, documentation of Historic Area buildings, and wider fieldwork throughout the Chesapeake. This is a term position of 12 months. The successful candidate is required to present their research via a written article or presentation at a professional conference at the end of the fellowship term.

Main Duties:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducts original research and fieldwork on early structures within the Chesapeake region in support of the major preservation and interpretive goals and educational mission of the Foundation.
• Facilitates productive working relationships within and outside the department.
• Prepares analytical and interpretive reports, including but not limited to historic structures reports, scholarly journals, monographs, and in-house interpretive reports or other appropriate venues to support the educational and preservation mission of the Foundation.
• Documents buildings and architectural features using measured drawings, photography, and architectural descriptions to Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) standards.
• Prepares 2D and 3D digital architectural documentation drawings.
• Presents lectures and audio-visual presentations to internal and external audiences.
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with internal and external partners toward the successful completion of projects and Foundation preservation efforts.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

Required Education and Experience:

A master's degree in preservation, history, architecture, material culture or a related field.

Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's criteria.

• Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
• May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
• May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

2+ years of experience conducting architectural research and fieldwork.

Key Skills / Competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Must have a solid understanding of English and American architecture of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries.
• Must be able to develop and conduct fieldwork and research projects independently and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others. Skills and Abilities:
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to prepare reports and articles and the ability to give presentations and tours.
• Proficiency with hand- and computer-aided documentation.
• Must have proficiency with AutoCAD.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Work is performed in a combination of office and external environments. The position may require walking, standing, and occasional bending or light lifting. The role may involve exposure to materials, tools, and environmental conditions typical of historic structures and their restoration.

Typical Work Schedule:

This position is expected to work a regular full-time schedule, 40 hours/week, with additional hours as needed to meet departmental, institutional, and project demands.