History Museum Internship
The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in rural Livermore, Maine is seeking a summer intern to assist in all aspects of managing the museum. The summer intern will gain valuable experience in living history education, museum operations, historical modes of agriculture, and other topics that may relate to his/her interests. This will include participating in historical interpretation as part of tours of the property for visitors or school children which may be of interest to those with an interest in the performing arts.
The Washburn-Norlands is a small museum located in a beautiful setting of fields and forest. The ideal candidate is flexible enough to assist in all aspects of operations during opening hours and work on other projects when closed to the public. Three days a week, the intern will work as a living history interpreter in the main house, schoolhouse, barn or library. One day a week, the intern will work on cataloging collections; they also may be called on for business development and marketing projects. This position also allows the intern to provide creative solutions to drive membership, visitor traffic and new events..
This is an ideal job for a team oriented self starter with an entrepreneurial mindset who seeks a career in academic history or museum management. The candidate should have an understanding of 19th Century United States History, especially the Civil War, with fluency in written French a plus but not mandatory. An interest in education or theater is also desired. The ideal candidate should have strong organizational skills.
Hours are 8-6, Wednesday through Saturday.
- Host tours and lead programs. Because we are a living history museum, all staff and volunteers wear period dress and portray 19th century LIvermore residents and Washburn family members. The outfit can be provided via our costume closet or arrangements will be made by Norlands to provide a suitable outfit at Washburn-Norlands expense.
- Compile records into the digital collections database.
- Contact schools to schedule field trips.
- Assist interim director in any necessary office/business related tasks.
- Work at scheduled events.
Please be aware due to the flammable nature of the historic site and possessions absolutely no smoking allowed.
A stipend of $1000 will be paid for the internships the time period June 26 to August 26 with some flexibility.
ABOUT THE NORLANDS
Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is a non-profit museum dedicated to preserving the heritage and traditions of rural life in Maine’s past, celebrating the achievements of Livermore’s Washburn family, and using living history methods to make values, issues and activities of the past relevant to present and future generations. The 445 acre property includes working farmland and buildings relating to the site’s role as the 19th-century homestead of the Washburn family. It includes a preserved 1828 Universalist meeting house, the Washburn 1867 mansion with attached farmer’s cottage and barn, an 1883 granite library, a sap-house, and a restored 1853 one-room school house. Maine school children continue to visit Norlands today as part of the Maine history curriculum. The Washburn Norlands archive is one of the few private family archives in the country and has been used by prominent historians including David McCullough and Heather Cox Richardson.
For more information, please visit www.norlands.org
Please send a letter of interest and a resume on Handshake.