Gerald MacDonald Grant-in-Aid Program

The Gerald MacDonald Grant Program, established in 2015, supports the development of young historians by encouraging historical research, historical interpretation, and historic preservation in Prince William County, Virginia. Lt. Col. Gerald “Jerry” MacDonald, USMC Ret., was a founding member and long-time director of Historic Prince William. After serving in the Marine Corps, MacDonald became an educator and lived most of his life with his wife and family on his family farm in Prince William County. This grant program honors MacDonald’s passion for history and his commitment to his family, his country, and his home.

Historic Prince William (HPW) is a 501(c)(3) historical society focused on the history of Prince William County, Virginia. It offers $2,000 paid internships for graduate students or senior-year undergraduates to (1) conduct research on some aspect of Prince William County history using primary source material, or (2) apply labor and expertise that contributes to the preservation and/or interpretation of a specific historic site in Prince William County.

Prince William County features a rich and diverse history that includes pre-European contact American Indian cultures, colonial-period settlements, early republic agriculture and industry, slavery and abolition, American War of Independence and Civil War sites, and a wealth of topics related to the 20 th century.

The Gerald MacDonald program was established to support the development of young historians by encouraging historical research, historical interpretation, and historic preservation in Prince William County, Virginia. It is named after the late Lt. Col. Gerald “Jerry” MacDonald, USMC Ret., who was a founding member and long-time director of Historic Prince William. After serving in the Marine Corps, MacDonald became an educator and lived most of his life with his wife and family on his family farm in Prince William County. This program honors MacDonald’s passion for history and his commitment to his family, his country, and his home.

Grant Terms

Internships will be awarded in the amount of $2,000. These funds may be used for any purpose by the recipient but must result in an academic paper and a presentation submitted to Historic Prince William on a subject predominantly involving Prince William County history and using primary sources. Qualifying projects may also involve Prince William County historic buildings, cemeteries, and archaeological sites. Awardees must complete their project within one year.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a brief research proposal (1-2 pages) endorsed by a professor at their institution. Only applicants who are graduate students or senior-year undergraduates enrolled in history or a related discipline will be considered. Students should submit their research proposal and any questions to info@historicprincewilliam.org. Consideration is on a rolling basis with no set submission deadline.