Job Listing: Curator (Tudor Place)

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

TITLE:                          Curator

SUPERVISOR:              Executive Director

CLASSIFICATION:        Full-time, Exempt

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden is an illustrious cultural institution in the heart of Washington, DC—a place where American history is not only preserved but actively explored, questioned and brought to life. Home to six generations of the Peter family, descendants of Martha Washington, from 1805 to 1983, Tudor Place offers an unbroken narrative of domestic life, civic engagement and social change spanning nearly two centuries.

The estate’s architectural centerpiece—a Federal-period mansion featuring a rare Temple Portico designed by U.S. Capitol architect Dr. William Thornton—anchors 5½ acres of historic gardens and green space. This urban oasis invites reflection and discovery, offering visitors a unique experience that blends landmark architecture, expansive landscapes and a nationally significant collection of over 18,000 artifacts, including the second-largest Washington Collection outside of Mount Vernon.

Tudor Place is more than a historic house museum. It is a platform for inclusive storytelling, where the lives of enslaved individuals, domestic workers and the original inhabitants of Georgetown are thoughtfully interpreted alongside the legacy of the Peter family. Its extensive archives of over 250,000 items document the social, architectural and economic history of the region and the nation.

As Tudor Place enters a new chapter, it is poised to evolve into a dynamic hub for education, dialogue and civic engagement. Plans for a reimagined Visitor Center, renewed exhibitions and digitally accessible collections reflect a bold vision for expanding impact and relevance. The institution is committed to making history resonate with contemporary audiences—locally, nationally and globally.

National Recognition & Awards

In recognition of its leadership in inclusive interpretation and community collaboration, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden has received multiple national awards for its groundbreaking exhibition and guided tour, “Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent at Tudor Place.” This initiative—centered on the lives and legacies of enslaved and free individuals connected to the site—has been honored for its innovative use of descendant voices, artifacts, audio storytelling and photography to transform the traditional house museum experience.

In 2024, “Ancestral Spaces” earned the Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), as well as the Outstanding Public History Project Award from the National Council on Public History (NCPH), both recognizing the project’s interpretive depth and impact. In 2025, Tudor Place received a second AASLH Leadership in History Award of Excellence, acknowledging the ongoing evolution and sustained excellence of the exhibit and tour. Together, these honors reflect a broader institutional commitment to truth-telling, inclusive narratives and collaborative public history practice.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Tudor Place seeks a visionary Curator to serve as the lead voice and strategist for interpreting its history, collection, and exhibitions. The Curator is responsible for and shapes how Tudor Place advances its mission through exhibitions and interpretation, management and care of the collection and archive and research, articles and public presentations.

The role is ideal for a social historian and innovative thinker who excels at putting people, places and objects into meaningful context and who is motivated by the power of history to spark dialogue, foster understanding and inspire future generations. This position prioritizes inclusive interpretation, ethical stewardship and dynamic engagement with contemporary audiences.

Working collaboratively across departments and with community partners, the Curator ensures that Tudor Place’s narratives are historically rigorous, comprehensive and engaging, and that they invite broader communities to see themselves reflected in, and challenged by, America’s history.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

As head of the Collections Department, the Curator reports to the Executive Director and is part of the senior leadership team of Tudor Place. The Curator supervises departmental staff, including a Collections Manager, and/or interns. The Curator also works closely with the Director of Education & Visitor Services in developing interpretive strategies and programs. Finally, the Curator collaborates with the Collections Manager and Director of Buildings, Gardens & Grounds to preserve the historic buildings on site.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Engagement

• Serve as a key spokesperson for Tudor Place, articulating and advancing a cohesive, inclusive vision for how its history, collection and stories are presented to the public.
• Present lectures and workshops to promote the collection.
• Work with Development and Communications to develop initiatives to further the public’s appreciation of the collection, ensuring alignment cross onsite, offsite, and online experiences.
• Support the preparation of press releases and promotion of the collection as well as fundraising efforts including capital campaigns.
• Respond to inquiries regarding the Tudor Place Collection and Archive from researchers and other museums.
• Lead tours and conduct special presentations.
• Research and author articles for publication.
• Maintain relationships with descendant families.
• Participate in institutional partnerships that promote collaboration between historic sites and museums.

Interpretation & Research

• Develop and oversee interpretation for the historic house, collection and special exhibitions, grounding them in social, cultural and political context.
• Develop and implement all installations in the Historic House including exhibitions, tours, collection-based programs, seasonal and special holiday installations, in consultation with the Director of Education & Visitor Services and the Executive Director.
• Conduct, coordinate and oversee research initiatives in support of museum interpretation, documentation of collection and dissemination of the Tudor Place story.
• Engage with scholars, advisors and community stakeholders to expand perspectives and deepen interpretation.
• Assist in the orientation of new docents and provide ongoing education for them, in coordination with the Director of Education & Visitor Services.

Collections Management

• Ensure ethical stewardship of the collection including interpretation, documentation and responsible use.
• Oversee the work of the Collections Manager and contribute to major collection-based projects
• Manage the annual January Clean, a month-long deinstallation and deep clean of the museum while closed to the public, with Collections Manager.
• Manage and promote the collection database public portal.
• Prioritize conservation needs and manage conservation projects.
• Manage all licensing agreements regarding the reproduction of collection objects and oversee object loans.
• Supervise all incoming and outgoing loans of objects, with Collections Manager.
• Contribute to decisions related to the maintenance and conservation of the buildings as they affect the collection, in consultation with the Collections Manager and Director of Buildings, Gardens & Grounds.
• Recommend acquisitions and deaccessions to the Executive Director, Collections Committee and the Board of Trustees; implement decisions.
• Review the Collections Management Policy and Collections Procedures Manual, providing recommendations for updates to the Executive Director and Collections Committee.
• With other staff, develop emergency and disaster response plans; participate in staff trainings on these procedures.

Organizational Leadership & Departmental Administration

• Supervise departmental staff, including time reporting, performance evaluation and coordination of professional development.
• Actively contribute to the senior leadership team, providing strategic insight, shared accountability and stewardship of the museum beyond departmental responsibilities, working together to build and foster an internal culture of connectivity.
• Serve as an institutional leader, advancing the museum’s mission, values and strategic priorities through collaborative decision-making and cross-departmental leadership.
• Prepare written reports and presentations for the Board of Trustees and committees as requested by the Executive Director.
• Prepare annual budget for department and track spending; identify special funding needs.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Collections Committee, work with the Executive Director and Committee chair on the agenda for committee meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in art history, American history, American studies or a related field.
• Five or more years of curatorial and collections experience in progressively senior positions at an historic site, historical society or museum.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current museum methodology and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience engaging communities that have been historically marginalized.
• Strong grounding in social history and the ability to synthesize complex narratives for diverse audiences.
• Outstanding research, verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and the public.
• Ability to creatively conceive, organize and implement exhibitions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, board members and constituents.
• Familiarity with collections management database applications (Past Perfect proficiency preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Knowledge of decorative arts, American history and Washington, DC history desirable.
• Ability to represent the museum in professional and public settings as a thoughtful advocate for inclusive, relevant historic interpretation.
• The physical requirements of this position are classified as medium work (exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently and/or up to ten pounds of force constantly to move objects).
• This position requires climbing (stairs, ladders), stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, or walking for extended periods, lifting, grasping, visual acuity, keen spatial awareness and the ability to move within constricted spaces.
• Ability to work in a range of environmental conditions.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation is based on experience. Salary range: $71,000-$90,000.

Tudor Place provides excellent benefits to employees, including paid leave, paid holidays, free on-site parking, professional development and a staff Museum Shop discount for all employees; life insurance and medical benefits are available to full-time employees.

TO APPLY

Please email Helen Hubbard-Davis, Director of Finance & Administration, at careers@tudorplace.org with resume and cover letter. Please include ‘CURATOR’ in the subject line. No phone calls please.

Tudor Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer.