Apprentice Historic Gardener

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

An apprentice gardener learns the plants, tools, and cultural techniques required to manage a colonial-period garden. This work is accomplished in a public venue that recreates the trade of a professional gardener and demonstrates the knowledge and materials of the colonial period. Progression through the apprenticeship is based on demonstrated growth in three core competencies:
Hand Skills, Research, and Interpretation. Apprentices advance by mastering increasingly complex techniques, conducting and applying historical research, and effectively communicating the history, significance, and practice of the trade through public interpretation, instruction, and leadership. Advancement is measured through the successful completion of progressively challenging object-based reproductions, scholarly research projects, interpretive presentations, and the demonstrated ability to mentor others while contributing to the mission of preserving, perpetuating, and presenting the historic trades of Colonial Williamsburg.

• Learns and develops proficiency in the skills of tending vegetable, fruit, and ornamental gardens with eighteenth-century methods and materials under the direction of the master/journeyman.
• Acquires a basic knowledge of all plants at the interpretive site as well as conspicuous plants throughout Colonial Williamsburg properties.
• Demonstrates a familiarity with and anticipates seasonal changes in work responsibilities
• Maintains tools and workspace under direction of master/journeyman.
• Assists with seminars, workshops, and lectures related to 18th century horticulture.

• Studies historical documents and information about the trade and its practitioners in North America and Europe to become proficient in the knowledge and understanding of the period and people.
• The progression of the apprenticeship is based on the successful demonstration of horticultural skills and knowledge represented by work in the garden and a research project as defined by the apprentice curriculum and overseen by the master/journeyman-supervisor.

• Provides historical information about gardening to include plant identification, exploration, introduction, and cultural techniques in Virginia and how the trade was influenced by European precedent.
• Provides biographical information about notable gardeners, nurserymen, and botanists of colonial America
• Recreates the work environment of an eighteenth-century professional gardener using the clothing, tools, and materials provided.
• Involves families and their children in interactive programs.
• Present proactive interpretations of historical information to support…