Current Openings
As a publicly accessible museum and historic site for over ninety years and home to the only two brothers to have signed the Declaration of Independence, Stratford Hall will leverage the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation to reintroduce our broad and diverse stories to our communities and stakeholders. Successful applicants will join our team as we undergo a transformative strategic planning process. A model of historic preservation and land conservation, Stratford Hall contributes actively to the Northern Neck community and encourages applications from strategic thinkers committed to joining this collaborative and dynamic team.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative culture among our staff, which we believe is critical to advancing our mission. Prospects interested in helping to ensure Stratford Hall remains relevant for future generations and in making a difference at our historic site, in our field, and to our community are encouraged to apply.
Historic Preservation Intern
Location: Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA 22558
Term: 10 weeks, approximately 40 hour per week
Compensation: $1,800 stipend and housing
Overview
Stratford Hall’s Preservation Department seeks a motivated summer intern for a hands-on experience in historic preservation. This is not a passive learning opportunity—interns will actively engage in physical restoration work and contribute to the daily operations of the Preservation and Maintenance Departments. Supervision will be provided by the Preservation Manager and Director of Preservation.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on restoration work including:
- Exterior painting and wood repair
- Masonry and repointing
- Window glazing
- Plaster repair
- Carpentry and general building conservation
- Participate in daily departmental operations
- Additional preservation tasks may arise depending on project needs
Required Qualifications
- Solid understanding of 18th-century building materials and techniques
- Familiarity with architectural terminology
- Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Properties
- Ability to work independently, problem-solve, and follow safety protocols
- Physically capable of manual labor: lifting up to 80 lbs, climbing ladders/scaffolding (up to 20 ft), working outdoors in varied weather (heat, humidity, rain)
Preferred Experience
- Training in historic trades or museum-based preservation and restoration
- Experience with both hand and power tools
- Desire to pursue a career in museum or historic site preservation
Education
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Historic Preservation program
- Minimum one year of preservation coursework completed
Application Instructions
Applicants must submit the following:
- Letter of Interest (max 500 words) detailing:
- Your interest in the preservation internship at Stratford Hall
- Your goals for the internship
- Dates available
- Relevant hands-on experience and transferable skills
- Resume
- Two references
- Be prepared to submit examples of work upon request
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Email materials to: lmanderson@stratfordhall.org (Subject: Historic Preservation Intern)
Horticulture Intern
Location: Stratford Hall, 483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA 22558
Term: 10 weeks, approximately 35 hours per week
Compensation: $1,800 stipend and housing
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve and home to the Lee family of Virginia, is seeking candidates for the Summer Horticulture Intern and Work Study. This is a variable hour position (35 hours per week) for 10 weeks. On site housing is available.
Overview
Hands-on experience in professionally maintaining the historic gardens and grounds of Stratford Hall under the direction of the Director of Landscapes. The intern will focus on our Field Crop Demonstration display which is an acre of heirloom field crops grown on the Northern Neck of Virginia. The intern will also be working on removing non-native invasive plant species on Stratford Hall Property.
Selection of duties, work and opportunities:
- Performs basic horticultural and landscaping maintenance
- Planting, weeding, watering, pruning
- Use of equipment properly and safely
- Help maintain a safe work environment for staff, visitors, and volunteers
- Assist with public and special events which may include setting up tables, chairs, and trash collection
- Tree, shrub, perennial and vegetable identification education
- Fieldtrips to regional historical sites
Required Education & Experience
- Internship open to High School or College students that have an interest in public gardening, landscape maintenance or environmental science
- Knowledge and experience with basic hand gardening tools
- Plant identification knowledge a plus
- Valid driver’s license a must
Specifications & Physical Requirements
- Ability and willingness to perform physical labor in outdoor conditions, regardless of weather
- Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds
Application Instructions
Please email Matt Peterschmidt at MPeterschmidt@StratfordHall.org with “Summer Horticulture Internship Search” in the subject line if you are interested in applying for this internship.
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Communications Intern
Location: Remote or Hybrid
Term: 10 weeks, approximately 30 hours per week (variable)
Compensation: $15 per hour and up to $200 in mileage reimbursement
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve is seeking a Communications Intern to assist with creating social media, email marketing, and web content that highlights Stratford Hall’s history, programs, and offerings. Work will include graphic design, video editing, marketing data management and copywriting, with an emphasis on short-form content like reels.
This is a remote, variable hour position (30 hours per week) for a term of 10 weeks and hourly wage of $15. At least one in-person visit to the site for orientation, photography and filming is required, with a reimbursement of up to $200 in mileage costs provided if traveling beyond 50 miles from Stratford Hall for the visit(s). Overnight accommodations will be provided. The intern must provide their own transportation to and from Stratford Hall.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in creating digital content including text, photo, and video elements that communicate Stratford Hall’s history and programs.
- Create a digital library of graphic designs that cover site operations, gift shop items, event programming, and development needs.
- Write and edit marketing emails or other web content tailored to different types of visitors.
- Other duties as assigned related to marketing needs.
Requirements
- Computer with internet access
- Smartphone with video/photo capability
- Competency with Canva or Adobe InDesign
- Competency with reel editing apps
Education
- Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a Communications, Marketing, History, or Public History program
Application Instructions
- Letter of Interest (max 500 words) detailing:
- Your interest in the Communications Internship at Stratford Hall
- Your goals for the internship
- Dates available
- Relevant experience and transferable skills
- Resume
- Two professional and/or academic references
- Be prepared to submit examples of work upon request
Email materials to Ethan Burgess, Director of Communications (eburgess@stratfordhall.org)
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Gardener
Gardener
Job Type: Part-time
Work Location: In-person
Experience: Public, private or personal gardening
License/Certification: Driver’s License (Required)
Ability to Commute: Stratford, VA 22558 (Required)
Pay: $17.00 – $18.00 per hour
Job Description
Position Objectives: To maintain and care for the Historic Gardens and Grounds at Stratford Hall. This part-time position will mainly be responsible for the East Garden, which includes perennials, annuals, vegetables, trees and shrubs as well as turf grass. Additionally, working with the Grounds Team to keep the property safe and welcoming for all of Stratford Hall’s visitors.
General Statement of Duties:
- Using best horticultural practices in transplanting, watering, fertilizing and soil management for vegetables, perennials and annuals
- Professionally and safely use such equipment as push lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, backpack sprayers and various hand tools
- Pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs
- Assists in greenhouse production for plant materials for the gardens and the annual plant sale
- Maintains a safe work environment for staff, visitors and volunteers
- Assists with public and private event set ups and break downs
- Assists with snow and ice removal and other storm damage as needed
- Performs other duties as required
- Occasional weekend work will be required
Qualifications:
- Basic understanding of best horticultural practices for public gardens
- Proper use and maintenance of small engine equipment
- Understanding of Integrated Pest Management
- Understanding proper pruning techniques of trees and shrubs
- Interact positively with public, volunteers and other staff members
- Ability to work independently and with other team members
- Valid driver’s license
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work in all types of Virginia weather.
- Manual dexterity to safely and efficiently perform seed sowing, weeding and pruning
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds
Please apply on Indeed or complete and email your application to Matt Peterschmidt, Director of Landscapes & Security at mpeterschmidt@stratfordhall.org