Presenter of African American Living and Inspiring History – Greenfield Village

The Henry Ford•Dearborn, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. The Henry Ford provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories, and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward and that aligns with our core values of being Curious, Authentic, and Passionate. Greenfield Village is preparing for an exciting 2026 season with the opening of The Jackson Home. This historic building was relocated from Selma, Alabama and will be opening to the public in June. We are currently seeking Presenters of African American Living and Inspiring History who will engage with guests with dynamic, accurate, and inclusive presentations that interpret African American history and lived experiences. Presenters facilitate meaningful guest interactions through storytelling, dialogue, and experiential interpretation while upholding The Henry Ford’s mission, vision, values, and service standards. As ambassadors of the organization, presenters create welcoming, respectful, and engaging experiences for diverse audiences. This is a unique opportunity to bring the stories, voices, and lived experiences of Black Americans to life in this historic site, connect guests across generations, and introduce them to these powerful stories as they experience the Jackson Home for the first time. Presenters of African American Living and Inspiring History includes two distinct assignment paths: Inspiring History Interpretation Focuses on narrative-based presentations and facilitated dialogue, sharing over 200 years of African American history across multiple sites, and encouraging guest reflection, inquiry, and engagement. Presenters wear modern uniforms. Living History Demonstration Focuses on hands-on, experiential interpretation of 20th-century African American daily life, including domestic labor, crafts, and material culture. Presenters demonstrate historical tasks, operate historic tools, and immerse guests in living history experiences. Presenters wear historic clothing. Both roles require strong communication skills, comfort with public engagement, and the ability to interpret complex historical narratives. Presenters must complete training, maintain period-appropriate appearance, and be available for weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening assignments. Timeline : Interviews will begin in January 2026. Training and start dates in February. Part-time regular hours March through September. Additional special hours available for Halloween Nights in October, weekends in November, and Holidays Nights in December. Flexible schedules are available. Great opportunity for retirees, students, or teachers with a passion for history.

Requirements

18 years of age or older
High school diploma or equivalent (unless enrolled in high school or GED coursework)
Must successfully complete all institutional and departmental training; must pass presenter training assessments
Weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening availability, for at least 2-3 days per week
Strong verbal communication skills
Must have strong interpersonal skills: ability to work in a team, possess a friendly and upbeat disposition, ability to connect with a diverse audience and workgroup; must be able to maintain high-energy, hospitable demeanor for hours at a time
Must be able to read, retain and then communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Must be able to follow directions and multi-task
Flexible, professional (in appearance and demeanor), and approachable; must be enthusiastic, passionate, and willing to try new things.
Must be able to work as a member of a team
Willingness to take on any necessary task even those that mean getting dirty
THF-provided and professionally fitted period-appropriate attire is mandatory for Living History Presenters

Nice To Haves

Basic skills in cooking and/or gardening preferred
Specific job sites or events may require working with or around animals, operating historic machinery, working around stoves and open flames, or facilitating guest activities
Should be a self-starter
Some public speaking or theater experience may be helpful
Good manual dexterity is helpful

Responsibilities

Engage guests daily through interactive presentations and facilitated conversations
Deliver world-class hospitality and service to guests, colleagues, and partners
Interpret African American history with sensitivity, accuracy, and care, including topics such as enslavement, segregation, racism, discrimination, and the Civil Rights Movement
Participate in required training, rehearsals, and mandatory readings; successfully complete presenter training assessments
Perform operational tasks including preparation, setup, maintenance, and clean-up of work sites
Protect artifacts, structures, landscapes, and historic resources from damage
Communicate regularly with team members and leadership regarding operational needs or concerns
Contribute positively to team problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor appropriate to the assigned site and role
Work outdoors and in non-air-conditioned environments as required, across varying weather conditions
Maintain availability for weekdays, weekends, holidays, and evenings based on operational need
Presenters may be assigned to one or more assignment roles based on skills, training, availability, and operational need. All assignment roles fall within the same job classification. Assignment to a specific role is not guaranteed and may change over time.