Jennifer Hurst-Wender joined Historic Germanna in October 2022 as Executive Director. She stewards its resources, including the Historic Germanna Visitor Center, Genealogy Library, the Hitt Archaeology Center, the Germanna Memorial Garden, Siegen Forest – a 170-acre eased forest that includes hiking and nature trails along the Rapidan River, and as of Spring of 2024, includes a public boat launch at Germanna Ford, 1714/1717 Fort Germanna Archaeology Site, Virginia Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood’s home, “Enchanted Castle” Archaeology Site, 1757 Georgian-style Salubria Manor, 1800 Peter Hitt Farm, and Rappahannock River Access.

Jennifer has twenty years of experience working with historical sites. She came to Historic Germanna from Preservation Virginia, where she was the Director of Museum Operations and Education from 2008 to 2022. She was responsible for the stewardship of 9 properties, including Historic Jamestowne, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, the John Marshall House, Bacon’s Castle, Smith’s Fort, and Cape Henry Lighthouse.

Jennifer previously served as the education and special events coordinator at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the WWII Battleship, the U.S.S. Wisconsin.

She received a BA in History from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MA in Museum Studies from the University of the Arts.