The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking an Oral Historian to join our Historical Resources
Division. The Oral Historian will work to fulfill the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society and to help
their colleagues throughout the organization succeed. The position promotes the oral history program
at the Kentucky Historical Society and the initiatives of the Kentucky Oral History Commission.
The Oral Historian works with individuals, organizations, and history professionals to engage people
through local and state history, connect with communities, and bring attention to KHS programs and
services. The Oral Historian encourages the use of and access to oral history collections at the Kentucky
Historical Society and across the Commonwealth.
The Oral Historian supports the administration of the Kentucky Oral History Commission (KOHC), the
only commission of its kind in the United States dedicated to providing financial and technical assistance
to oral history repositories, oral historians, and community scholars. The Oral Historian assists with the
KOHC grant program and serves as a resource for individuals and organizations.
The Oral Historian supports the creation, preservation, and dissemination of oral history projects
throughout Kentucky. The position establishes relationships with oral history practitioners and historical
organizations across the Commonwealth, offering professional and technical assistance to encourage
best practices in oral history creation and preservation. The ideal candidate brings professionalism,
passion, curiosity, and positive problem-solving to the role.
The Kentucky Historical Society:
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and
Heritage Cabinet. The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort: The Old State
Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History
serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and
archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has American Alliance
of Museums accreditation.
To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, please visit https://history.ky.gov.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the Kentucky Historical Society’s oral history program through acquisition, preservation, and
access - Support the work of the Kentucky Oral History Commission and the twice-yearly KOHC grant
program - Promote and provide advice and training on the creation, preservation, and use of oral history for
individuals and organizations across the Commonwealth - Foster long-term relationships with community partners through existing and new community
engagement programs.
To see the full position description, please visit https://history.ky.gov/about/careers.
