Interpreter - Adena Mansion & Gardens

Position: Interpreter

Status: Part-time, Seasonal, March-October

Location: Adena Mansion & Gardens, Chillicothe, OH

Compensation: $15.00 per hour

Summary:

A seasonal Interpreter, museum docent, and guide serves as the museum's primary educational link between an institution's collections and the public. This role combines formal storytelling with operational duties to provide an "all-inclusive" visitor experience that spans historical narratives and natural history at a site featuring both a historical mansion and a natural wooded farm acts as a bridge between the estate's domestic history and its agricultural/ecological landscape.

Essential Functions:

• Living History & Demonstrations: Perform period-appropriate tasks-such as Mansion tours, gardening, basic animal husbandry, or historical farm work-while wearing period attire and engaging visitors in "living history" dialogues.
• Conduct educational walks and guided hikes through the wooded farm and trails, identifying native flora and fauna and explaining the relationship between the historic inhabitants and their environment.
• Visitor Engagement: Act as the primary ambassador for the institution, greeting arrivals, answering general inquiries, and facilitating hands-on learning experiences for children and school groups.
• Maintain museum front desk and gift shop operations. Including greeting visitors, collecting money, sales and general museum care.
• Operational Stewardship: Maintain the functionality and cleanliness of both the mansion and interpretive trails; handle gift shop sales, ticket distribution, and site security rounds.

Required Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Some college preferred in education, history, or environmental interpretation. A strong interest or background in history, science, or education; docents are often required to complete extensive training on specific museum collections. Horticulture and botany background is a plus.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Public Speaking: Proficiency in oral presentations to diverse groups, with the ability to tailor technical historical or scientific information for different age levels. Maintain a friendly, outgoing manner and follow site-specific safety protocols.

Required Competencies:

• Public speaking and education proficiency, basic math and writing skills

Work Environment

Indoor and Outdoor settings. Requires availability during peak vacation periods, including weekends, holidays, and some evenings.

Application Instructions:

Submit application through Ohio History Connection careers website: For questions or accommodations requests, please email [email protected] or call 614-297-2500.