Greenfield Village Historic Presenter, 2026 Season

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.

Applications are now being accepted for enthusiastic and passionate Greenfield Village Presenters to deliver presentations and programs, representing The Henry Ford in a positive manner and providing the highest level of customer service to all guests, fellow employees, and volunteers. Presenters conduct presentations that inform, educate, and entertain based on guidelines and training set by The Henry Ford. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the successful operation of the Venue Operations Unit as a member of the Greenfield Village work team.

We have several unique Presenter positions available across Greenfield Village and hope you will consider joining us in representing The Henry Ford, its stories, and mission. All roles earn $16.05/hour.

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.

Essential Responsibilities

• Engages guests with dynamic presentations and facilitates interactive experiences daily.
• Demonstrates historical equipment and processes, which could include cooking, gardening, textile production, housework, crafts and trades production, and other activities.
• Provides world-class hospitality and service for all guests and staff.
• Ensures appropriate appearance and operation of the daily work site.
• Helps protect artifacts, structures and landscapes from damage.
• Communicates regularly with coworkers and team leaders about operational problems.
• May contribute to the review and evaluation of department programs.
• Contributes to the effective team management of all problems, issues and opportunities.
• Specific job may require the wearing of historical/period clothing, working with or around animals, operating historic machinery, working around stoves and open flames, or facilitating guest activities.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age for all Presenter roles except Games on the Green
• Games on the Green Presenters must be 16 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent (unless enrolled in high school or GED coursework)
• Weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening availability.

Special Skills

• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills
• Friendly disposition, approachable with great interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to connect with a diverse audience and workgroup
• Must be able to read, retain, and communicate complex ideas

All Greenfield Village Presenter positions require the ability to work outdoors in all seasons, including sunny and inclement weather as necessary, as well as non-air-conditioned historical buildings.

Current openings include:

• Town Life Presenters are responsible for sharing the history of many of our historic sales buildings, including the JR Jones General Store, Mrs. Cohen's Millinery, and the Phoenixville Post Office. Presenters also work at the Detroit Central Market, Eagle Tavern as a presenter of history, and Grimm Jewelry. Town Life has presenter positions that are in period clothing as well as positions that are in the Greenfield Village uniform. Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions, as some buildings that are non-air conditioned.
• Living Histories Presenters are responsible for sharing site stories with guests while doing process demonstrations for the farm labor. Each site has a combination of foodways (cooking & baking), gardening, and textile work. We are looking for passionate and energetic people with some background in cooking, baking, or gardening to join our team!

• Inspiring Histories Presenters work at many of our key buildings, including Menlo Park Laboratory, Logan County Courthouse, and the Noah Webster Home. Daily program presenters wear the Greenfield Village uniform and may occasionally wear period clothing during special events such as Holiday Nights.

• Model T Drivers are responsible for engaging guests with a historically accurate presentation while driving a Model T. Presentations while driving focus on how the Model T put the world on wheels and changed the way we live. Model T drivers wear Greenfield Village uniform and must be comfortable with learning to operate a 100+ year old vehicle. Prior knowledge of driving an antique car is not required, skills training will occur upon being hired. Candidates will be required to obtain a chauffer's license upon being hired.
• Rides Team members are responsible for acting as a Station Master at our 3 train platforms in Greenfield Village, presenting at the DTM Roundhouse, and assisting guests at the Carousel. Those interested in working the platforms should be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions and be on their feet for the majority of an 8-hour shift, not including scheduled breaks. Presenters at both the carousel and train platforms should be comfortable presenting to small and larger (25+) groups, and be comfortable with directing large groups of people. Carousel presenters should be comfortable using a microphone. Presenters at the Roundhouse work mostly indoors, aside from presenting the outdoor Turntable. Having an interest in trains or train history or those who are mechanically inclined may be well-suited for the Roundhouse. All roles wear the Greenfield Village uniform.
• Liberty Craftworks Presenters work in our artisan shops in Greenfield Village, as well as our A&S Machine Shop. Some understanding of the artisan trades and machine shop operations preferred but not required. Trades include Glassblowing, printing, pottery, and weaving. Presenters must be comfortable working on their feet for the majority of an 8 hour shift, not including scheduled breaks. Working in the artisan trade shops includes being able to work around active artisans and giving detailed, technical presentations on what the artists are working on. In Print, you will need to be able to lift 25 lbs and will be trained to operate an 1850s printing press. In Pottery and Glass, you must be comfortable speaking on a microphone as the shops can be loud. To work in the A&S Machine Shop, you must be comfortable learning to operate a 1905 lathe (skills training provided). NEW! This year, the Liberty Craft Works team will include a presenter position that will rotate between 3 of our mills – Carding Mill, Saw Mill, and Grist Mill. Presenters should enjoy speaking to guests and have an interest in learning about mills. Little to no hands-on skills required. Mill knowledge will be taught.
• Games on the Green Summer Team is ideal for those looking for summer work. The Summer Team is responsible for presenting and playing historic puzzles and games with families. Must be comfortable working outdoors and in period clothing. Experience working with children/families preferred. Main programming runs June 16-August 10, with training dates before then. Additional opportunities for seasonal work during Hallowe'en and Holiday Nights. Please note, this is our only Presenter role open to candidates under 18 years of age.
• Firestone Farmer/Agricultural Presenter is a year-round position, encompassing both guest presentations (during Greenfield Village operations) as well as the work of maintaining a working farm. Due to additional requirements, this role has a separate posting. To be considered for this position, please apply directly.

You will have an opportunity to express interest in multiple areas in the next step of the application process.

Please note that this job description is subject to modification at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future. By honoring and celebrating people's diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.