Staff
Jenny Waters
Museum Manager
In the summer of 2022, Jenny joined the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden as the Collections Management Intern after deciding to pursue a career in museums and historic preservation. During her internship, she gained valuable hands-on experience in collections management and exhibit curation while also completing a Graduate Certificate in Collections Management and Care from George Washington University.
Jenny joined Lee-Fendall’s full-time staff in 2023 as Collections & Programming Manager. In this role, she curated multiple exhibitions and art showcases, developed a World War II walking tour of Alexandria, and organized the museum’s annual Wine & Art Night fundraiser, which raised over $4,000 in its first year. At age 26, she advanced into a director-level position, where she continues to focus on strengthening the museum’s role as a vibrant community hub through dynamic programming and partnerships with local organizations.
Beyond her work at Lee-Fendall, Jenny serves as Membership Chair of the Historic House Museum Consortium, is a Commissioner for the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission, and is a founding member of the DC Public History Collective. She was also a scholarship recipient for the 2026 Small Museum Association Conference.
Publications:
Sophie McCarthy
Program Manager
Joining the Lee-Fendall team at the beginning of 2026, Sophie is a public historian with previous experience in historic house museums. While attending Clemson University, where she studied history, Sophie worked as a public history intern at the historic Hanover House. There, she created an exhibition centered around the work of English naturalist, Mark Catesby. She also worked as an archival researcher for Clemson University’s Honors College, studying the residential living of previous students.
After graduating, Sophie moved to Washington DC to attend Georgetown University for her Masters in Engaged and Public Humanities. While in school, Sophie worked in Visitor Services at Tudor Place Historic House. Alongside historic interpretation and visitor engagement, Sophie specialized in the development of public and educational programs.
Sophie’s primary interests revolve around material culture, popular culture, and food studies – her love for American cultural history is largely inspired by her family’s travels to all fifty states. Her educational experience centers primarily on secondary education, and Sophie is hoping to expand educational programs for older audiences as she steps into the role of Program Manager. Similarly, she looks forward to engaging in historic interpretation, as well as implementing new public programs while maintaining pre-existing fan favorites.
Publications:
