BATH — A self-described history buff has landed his dream job at Historic Bath Site, where he has joined the staff as historic interpreter.

Chuck Guard is settling in after being hired this spring. The 23-year-old is a 2009 graduate of Southside High School and he received a degree in history from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 2013.

His role at Historic Bath includes conducting tours of houses at the site, greeting visitors and helping take care of the gift shop. One of his first orders of business was learning the history of the site, immersing himself in researching local lore and legend.

Interest in history runs in the family, Guard said.

“My dad has been a history buff since I was little,” he noted. Guard himself is an avid history reader, devouring books on the subject since fifth grade. He admits he is partial to  Civil War history, but he finds the colonial era preserved at Historic Bath intriguing, as well.

“With my history degree, this is exactly what I wanted to do,” Guard said. “I enjoy dealing with people. My first visit to the historic site was in fourth grade. There’s a lot of history here.”

Guard said he is looking forward to assisting with special programs offered by Historic Bath Site throughout the year.

“I’d like to try to get people to visit Bath,” he said. “We have a lot of history out here that I did not know a lot about myself. I’m learning as much as I can.”

Historic Bath Site manager Leigh Swain welcomed Guard to the staff.

“I’ve found Chuck to be very eager to learn and become part of our team,” Swain said. “I know finding history-related jobs in rural eastern North Carolina is difficult, so I’m pleased we were able to offer him the opportunity to pursue a career in his field of study.”

Historic Bath Site is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 252-923-3971.