Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Curatorial Summer Internship 2006

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA

 

Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington, originally
extended over eight thousand acres and was divided into five farms. The
property remained in the Washington family until 1858, when it was
purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, a non-profit
organization founded by Ann Pamela Cunningham in 1853 to "perpetuate the
sacred memory of 'the Father of his Country'" and to "preserve the
relics at Mount Vernon." The current historic site encompasses George
Washington's original Mansion House Farm and consists of 500 acres. 

 

Today, Mount Vernon welcomes approximately 1 million visitors a year,
and it is the responsibility of the Collections Department to ensure
that the objects on view in the Mansion and outbuildings are
historically accurate and preserved for these visitors. The Curatorial
collection is built around the documented household and personal
possessions of George and Martha Washington. The Association's mission
is to show the Mansion and outbuildings as they were furnished in 1799.
Through the generosity of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association
(MWTCA), Mount Vernon offers one summer internship to an individual
interested in assisting with this preservation and accuracy mission.

 

The successful candidate for the MWTCA Curatorial Internship will assess
the objects on display and their interpretative use in the Stables and
Coach House. Located off the South Lane, the Stables and adjacent
(reconstructed) Coach House played an important supporting role in the
Washington household - male slaves worked here to care for the horses
and equipage of the Washington family, as well as that of their many
visitors.

 

The MWTCA Curatorial Intern will be responsible for developing a
comprehensive interpretation and furnishing plan for the Stables and
Coach House.  Using the Mount Vernon Library and Archives, the intern
will be asked to examine the furnishings and tools utilized in these
support structures, the people involved in completing the tasks that
took place in the structures, and the interpretive history of the
spaces.  During this process, the intern will examine the inventories
taken after the deaths of George and Martha Washington, as well as the
inventories of the Washingtons' contemporaries, to determine what
objects were most likely in the Stables and Coach House in 1799. The
intern will then synthesize his/her research to determine which objects
should be on display in these outbuildings in order to demonstrate
historical accuracy.  Once those objects are determined, the intern will
be asked to inventory and re-evaluate the current Stables and Coach
House interpretations and determine a plan of action for items currently
installed, pulling from storage any additional pieces deemed appropriate
for the interpretation.  He/She will then construct a wish list of those
objects not currently represented in the Mount Vernon collection, and
this list (which may include both period and reproduction items) will be
shared with the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association and Ladies
Auxiliary.

 

Mount Vernon will use this valuable research to re-interpret the Stables
and Coach House for the visiting public, and will make available the
MWTCA Curatorial Intern's research to Mount Vernon's Education and
Interpretive staff for inclusion in public programs and tours.

 

Compensation and Hours:

 

The MWTCA Curatorial Intern may be reimbursed for travel and research
expenses up to $300, and will receive a $3,000 stipend for the 10 weeks
of the internship period, payable on the Mount Vernon pay schedule.  The
internship period will be determined based upon the candidate's schedule
with expected work hours of Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm during the
selected 10 weeks.  Housing and daily transportation to/from Mount
Vernon will be the responsibility of the successful candidate.  Mount
Vernon is happy to work with the intern's academic program to provide
credit for the internship period.  

 

Qualifications:

 

The successful MWTCA Curatorial Intern candidate will possess an
interest in museum or historic site management, museum collections, or
material culture studies.  A graduate-level major in American History,
American Studies, Museum Studies, Art History, or a related field is
required.  A special interest in 18th century Chesapeake social
history/material culture is preferred, although not required.

 

How to Apply:

 

By March 17, 2006 please send letter of interest, resume, and the
contact information for three references to: 

 

            Gretchen Goodell

            Assistant Curator

            George Washington's Mount Vernon

            P.O. Box 110

            Mount Vernon, VA 22121

            Fax: 703.799.8698

            [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 

            No phone calls please

  

All applicants will be notified of the success of his/her application by
April 17, 2006.

 


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