Small Museum Association

The Mission of the Greenbrier Historical Society is to share the diverse history and culture of the Greenbrier Valley.

The Greenbrier Historical Society (GHS) is focused on sharing diverse histories in all the work we do and representing minority voices in history. With the recent completion of several new exhibits there is still room to grow the exhibit program and continue to bring excitement and new life to the North House Museum; additionally, the impending completion of our restoration of the Blue Sulphur Springs Pavillion and our acquisition in July 2022 of two other historic buildings (the 1834 Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia Law Library and Study and the 1835 Johnson Reynolds Enslaved Quarters) create many impressive new challenges and new opportunities. The organization seeks a creative Executive Director who must be willing to try new things, continue to build community engagement, and work to engage with new audiences while providing leadership, development support, and direction to staff and administrative oversight to the organization.

Organization Overview:

Operating out of Lewisburg, WV, the Greenbrier Historical Society serves the Greenbrier Valley (Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, and Pocahontas County).

The Greenbrier Historical Society oversees four historic properties:

• The North House Museum and Archive is the headquarters of the organization and is home to diverse exhibits and period rooms. Visitors are taken on guided tours of the museum by our docents for a minimal charge and/ or are given the option to explore two self-guided exhibits for free. It also houses the GHS Archives and Library where the organization holds thousands of historic documents and responds to hundreds of research requests each year. The Greenbrier County Courthouse Collection is a major collection and is a wealth of information about the history of the area. The Wagon House, a recent construction, houses the 1700’s freight wagon and associated exhibit.
• The Barracks is a turn of the 19th century log building located in the heart of downtown Lewisburg, WV. The building has recently undergone capital improvements and is currently being used as an historic “Escape Room” based on the first white settler experience in Lewisburg. The basement is being used for environmentally appropriate archival storage of a large portion of the Greenbrier County Courthouse Collection. The organization is considering how best to present this notable landmark in the future with the hopes of developing an educational and living history space for use by and presentation to the public.
• The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion is the only structure remaining of the once thriving Blue Sulphur Springs resort located north of Alderson, WV on the south-western end of Greenbrier County. Once restoration is completed (hopefully this year), the organization intends to fine tune the landscaping and signage and initiate procedures to encourage the public to visit and learn about this treasure.
• The 1834 Law Library & Enslaved Quarters. The Law Library building housed the library of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia (which comprised more than 2600 volumes in 1860) and provided study areas for its five Judges when the Court held sessions in Lewisburg (then VA) for 90 days each year from 1834-1864. It also served as a hospital during the Civil War and some soldiers’ graffiti is preserved on an interior wall. The Enslaved Quarters, moved to the site in 1976, may also have served as a detached kitchen; it provides a platform to present to the public information about how enslaved people lived and worked in this area before the Civil War. We are just beginning our effort to bring these buildings back to their configurations during the first half of the 19th Century, and are adding them to the North House as a part of our Museum Complex.

Executive Director Position Overview:

The Executive Director is responsible for the management and oversight of the Greenbrier Historical Society operations and properties. This includes responsibility for day-to-day supervision, management, and development of our staff, which is made up of full-time, part-time, and AmeriCorps workers, as well as volunteers. The Executive Director works closely with and under the general supervision of the GHS Board of Directors.

Key Skill Competencies Required:

• Leadership
• Oral and Writing
• Fundraising
• Project Management
• Problem Solving
• Personnel Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Organization and Prioritization
• Grant Writing
• Financial Management
• Creativity
• Professional Communication
• Excellent Work Ethic
• Computer Literacy

Primary Position Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management

1. Manage daily operations of the Museum, Archives, and other properties.

2. The development and implementation of the GHS Strategic Plan created to move the mission forward and fulfill the vision of the organization.

3. Actively engage and energize board members, GHS members, volunteers, committees, partner organizations, funders, and donors.

4. Supervise the AmeriCorps member(s) position.

5. Develop and maintain a strong collaborative and team-focused culture.

6. Supervise and manage staff: (1) Curator & Education Director (1), Marketing/Financial Manager (1), Museum/Archives Associates (1-2), AmeriCorps Member (1), and a volunteer team of 20-30.

Finances and Fundraising

1. Collaborate with the GHS Marketing/Financial Manager and GHS Treasurer in financial reporting and associated activities.

2. Assist the Marketing/Financial Manager and GHS Treasurer to develop an annual operating budget and oversee the financial health of the organization.

3. Monitor cash flow and the income and loss statement.

4. Oversee revenue-generating activities such as fundraising events and activities, grant writing, GHS membership, tours, and gift shop sales.

5. Identify grant opportunities and work to develop government, non-profit, and foundation grants to support the operations of GHS; responsible for appropriate monitoring of grants and assuring that required tracking and reporting is accomplished.

6. Maintain all necessary registrations, certifications, and payments to comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulatory requirements for non-profits.

Communications and Marketing

7. Represent and promote the Society in community affairs as the official spokesperson for the organization. Provide television and other media-related releases, statements, interviews, etc.

8. Oversee the creation of marketing and promotional materials including newsletters, annual journal publication, web-site, and social media.

9. Oversee efforts of the Marketing Manager to develop a marketing plan and strategies designed to support the organization’s overall Strategic Plan.

Programming & Outreach

1. Develop an annual calendar of events, exhibits, and programs to further the mission of GHS.

2. Support the Curator/ Education Director’s development and implementation of educational and public outreach programs and exhibits.

3. Coordinate a plan for processing our Archival collections while making them more accessible to researchers with the assistance of the Archives Committee and Archives Staff.

4. Coordinate key annual and special events including the GHS Annual Membership Meeting, Stellar Evening Fundraiser, and biennial Home Tour.

Professional Development:

• Identify and participate in relevant associations and educational activities and events to keep abreast of the latest developments in museum and nonprofit management.
• Assist Staff with professional and personal development goals as well as objectives to meet the needs of the organization.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies, History, English Literature, Nonprofit Management, Archives, Business Development and Organization, or similar field. Master’s Degree Preferred.

Experience desired:

• Management of a museum, archive, or a non-profit organization.
• Developing and implementing educational programs and special events.
• Managing and developing employees and volunteers.
• Accounting.
• Marketing.
• Grant writing and Fundraising.

Technical skills desired:

• Excellent verbal communication skills to include effective public speaking.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to compose business documents, financial reports, news releases, and marketing materials with emphasis on accuracy and proper grammar.
• Familiarity with office technology (copiers, etc.).
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel, Google Suites, Past Perfect, Little Green Light (or other donor management software), QuickBooks, Weebly web builder, MailChimp, Canva or other graphic design software; willingness and ability to evaluate, learn, and master new programs and applications.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
• Comfortable using tools and doing minor repair/construction work a plus.
• Infrequent lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Standing, walking, and sitting for extended amounts of time.

Compensation

$55,000 - $65,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Cover letter, resume, and three professional references should be sent to the Greenbrier Historical Society, director@greenbrierhistorical.org. Materials will be reviewed and interviews scheduled with the most promising candidates.