Historic Preservation Intern - Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District
HISTORIC PRESERVATION INTERN
SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS RURAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
Geographic Focus: Albemarle County
Office Location: Charlottesville Office and Albemarle County Clerk's Office (for research)
Supervisor: Historic Preservation Coordinator
Job Classification: Internship, Non-Exempt Hourly
INTRODUCTION
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont since 1972. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, protect air and water quality, celebrate historic resources, build smart transportation networks, promote sustainable energy choices, restore wildlife habitat and improve people’s access to nature.
BACKGROUND
PEC is planning to document, through deed research and mapping, several historically African-American communities in and around the Southwest Mountains area of Albemarle County. This work is part of a larger project to update and revise the existing Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District, listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1987 and National Register of Historic Places in 1991, to more fully and accurately incorporate the African-American experience and recognize associated resources in the district.
The bulk of the project will entail chain of title research for individual properties within the communities of Coham, Boyden, Scuffletown, Campbell, Clarks Tract and Bunker Hill in eastern Albemarle County. The intern will work directly with the Historic Preservation Coordinator, who will use the title information to map the historic boundaries of these communities. That information will subsequently be used to identify extant historic resources and sites in those communities, ultimately culminating in Preliminary Information Forms to determine whether those communities may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
This position is a temporary part-time internship with a total estimate of 500 hours (with the potential to extend). The intern will spend the bulk of their time at the Albemarle County Clerk’s Office in order to conduct deed research on individual parcels tracing the chain of title back to 1860 (or other agreed upon date). There are seven historically African-American communities of focus for this project, including Coham, Boyden, Lindsay, Scuffletown, Campbell, Clarks Tract and Bunker Hill. The intern will be supplied with maps, tax parcel numbers, outlines of estimated boundaries for these communities. All information is to be retained in a Google Sheet format on Google Drive. As time permits, the intern will work with the Historic Preservation Coordinator to assist with the mapping of these properties.
AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
The interns will report to Historic Preservation Coordinator and be responsible for the duties outlined below:
- Completing chain of title research for each property associated with the communities of Coham, Boyden, Scuffletown, Campbell, Clarks Tract, Lindsay and Bunker Hill
- Tracking all deed information, including Grantee, Grantor, Date Sold, Date Recorded and Liber/Folio, in an excel spreadsheet
- Retaining copies of all deeds and associated surveys/plats
QUALIFICATIONS
- Background in historic preservation, architectural history or related field
- Demonstrated past experience conducting title research
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office and Google Drive applications
COMPENSATION
- $20.00 per hour (with an estimated 500 hours)
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and a work sample to include past projects involving deed research to apply@pecva.org
The Piedmont Environmental Council is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and persons of color are encouraged.