Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Curatorial Summer Internship 2007

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA

 

 

Through the generosity of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association (M-WTCA), Mount Vernon offers one curatorial summer internship to an individual interested in assisting with preservation and education mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

 

The M-WTCA Curatorial Intern will be responsible for developing a comprehensive interpretation and furnishing plan for the shoemaker’s shop.  Located within the reconstructed greenhouse quarter, the shoemaker’s shop played an important supporting role in the Washington household – here William Lee, an enslaved worker, made shoes for the enslaved workforce and repaired other leather goods. 

 

Using the Mount Vernon Library and Archives, the intern will be asked to examine the furnishings and tools utilized in this space, the people involved in completing the tasks that took place there, and the interpretive history of the shop.  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 shoemaker’s shop in 1799. The intern will then synthesize his/her research to determine which objects should be on display in the space in order to demonstrate historical accuracy.  Once those objects are determined, the intern will be asked to inventory and re-evaluate the current shoemaker’s shop display and determine a plan of action for items currently installed, pulling from storage any additional pieces deemed appropriate for the interpretation.  He/She will also be asked to 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 shoemaker’s shop for the visiting public, and will make available the M-WTCA Curatorial Intern’s research to Mount Vernon’s Education and Interpretive staff for inclusion in public programs and tours.

 

Compensation and Hours:

 

The M-WTCA Curatorial Intern will receive a $3,000 stipend for the 10 weeks of the internship period, payable on the Mount Vernon pay schedule.   Dormitory-style housing is available on the estate and a small amount of funds will be available to help reimburse research expenses or travel costs.  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.  Mount Vernon is happy to work with the intern’s academic program to provide credit for the internship period. 

 

Qualifications:

 

The successful M-WTCA 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 18^th century Chesapeake social history/material culture is preferred, although not required.

 

How to Apply:

 

By April 6, 2007 please send letter of interest, resume, and the contact information for three references to:

 

Human Resources
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
P.O. Box 110
Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Fax: 703.780.8320

Email: [log in to unmask]

 

Candidates will be informed of the success of their applications no later than May 15, 2007.