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Living History Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Colonial Williamsburg

Culinary Extern

Williamsburg, VA · On-site

$19.91/hr

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to ...

Grace Christian Academy

History Teacher

Kankakee, IL · On-site

... living. The duties of the Christian school teacher can be both rewarding and challenging. Classroom sizes are often smaller and more easily managed. However, the workload is heavier because the ...

Grace Christian Academy

History Teacher

Kankakee, IL · On-site

... living. The duties of the Christian school teacher can be both rewarding and challenging. Classroom sizes are often smaller and more easily managed. However, the workload is heavier because the ...

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Living History information

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How much do living history jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for living history in the United States is $18.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.06 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a living history interpreter?

A living history interpreter is a professional who brings history to life by portraying historical figures or everyday people from the past. They use costumes, tools, and authentic settings to recreate historical events or daily life, often interacting with the public in museums or at historical sites. Their goal is to educate and engage visitors by providing an immersive, firsthand look at how people lived, worked, and thought during a particular period. Living history interpreters rely on thorough research to ensure accuracy in their presentations.

What are some common challenges faced by living history interpreters during public demonstrations?

Living History interpreters often encounter the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with audience engagement. Presenting information in a way that is both authentic and accessible can require improvisation and strong communication skills, especially when answering unexpected questions from visitors. Interpreters may also need to adapt to outdoor environments, wear period-appropriate clothing for extended periods, and collaborate closely with other team members to coordinate demonstrations and ensure smooth visitor experiences.

What is the difference between Living History vs Historical Interpreter?

AspectLiving History
CredentialsHistorical knowledge, sometimes certifications in history or education
Work EnvironmentHistorical sites, outdoor settings, reenactment events
Employer & IndustryMuseums, historical societies, parks, educational programs
Job FocusReenacting historical events, engaging visitors in immersive experiences

Living History and Historical Interpreter roles often overlap, but Living History emphasizes reenactment and immersive experiences, while Historical Interpreters focus on explaining history to visitors. Both require historical knowledge and work in similar environments, but Living History involves active reenactment, whereas Historical Interpreters may focus more on education and interpretation.

What are jobs in living history?

Living history jobs involve working at historical sites, museums, tourist attractions, or other points of interest as a historical actor. You dress in costume, speak in a regional dialect, and inform people in a manner consistent with a past time and place. Acting out specific historical events of your location, you entertain and enlighten visitors with relevant historical facts and actions. Participation in a reenactment of a battle, such as in the Civil War, at a National Park or Monument, is one example. Your responsibilities include visiting schools and camps to educate children or other groups about historical cultures, events, and people.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a living history interpreter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Living History Interpreter, you need a solid understanding of historical periods, strong research skills, and typically some background in history, museum studies, or education. Familiarity with interpretive techniques, period-appropriate tools, and sometimes costuming or hands-on craft skills is important. Exceptional communication, storytelling, and adaptability help engage diverse audiences and bring history to life. These skills are vital to accurately educate and immerse visitors, creating memorable and informative experiences.
More about Living History jobs
What cities are hiring for Living History jobs? Cities with the most Living History job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Living History jobs? The most popular types of Living History jobs are:
What states have the most Living History jobs? States with the most job openings for Living History jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Living History jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Living History jobs are:
Living History jobs near you
Infographic showing various Living History job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,067 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Server - King's Arms Tavern

Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg, VA • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Colonial Williamsburg rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 29 rated museums

Job description

About Colonial Williamsburg:
From our Historic Area to Hotels, Colonial Williamsburg's mission "that the future may learn from the past" is part of everything we do. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution welcoming guests to the world's largest living history museum which brings the past to life through museum theater, 18th-century trades, historic sites, and more. The Foundation also includes two world-class art museums, featuring the nation's premier folk art collection, plus the best in British and American fine and decorative arts from 1670-1840. The Colonial Williamsburg Company boasts a rich history as well, having hosted and entertained guests from around the world with an impressive collection of amenities including our hotels, guest homes, food and beverage outlets, championship golf courses, and spa & fitness center.
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 88 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, 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 Giffin 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.
Essential Duties:
  • Serve guests food and beverages in the manner and style of an 18th-century eating establishment.
  • Describe and explain 18th-century taverns to guests.
  • Process orders through Point-of-Sale system.

Requirements:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age due to Virginia A.B.C. § 4.1-307
  • Previous restaurant server experience or guest relations experience
  • Demonstrated excellent public contact skills
  • Physical requirements include, but are not limited to: (1) standing, stooping, and bending; (2) lifting and carrying loads of up to 50 pounds; (3) extensive use of stairs
  • Ability to (1) maintain standard expectations listed below; (2) work under pressure; (3) adhere to 18th century dress code
  • Successful candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a current Williamsburg James City County food handler's card and TIPS® certification; applicants with an active card and certification should be prepared to present both during the interview process

Expectations:
Maintain an upbeat attitude and a positive, enthusiastic mindset.
  • Greet guests, employees, managers, and supervisors with a warm smile and friendly demeanor.
  • Always treat everyone with respect and work cooperatively with colleagues and management.
  • Ensure timely arrival at work according to your scheduled hours.
  • Adhere to established uniform and appearance policies.
  • Perform assigned tasks accurately and on time.

In accordance with Virginia A.B.C. § 4.1-225 Colonial Williamsburg prohibits employment of anyone in an alcohol serving position who has been convicted of a felony, any crime involving moral turpitude (lying, cheating, or stealing), or a drug-related offense within the past five (5) years.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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