Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Curatorial Summer Internship 2010

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 (M-WTCA), Mount Vernon offers one summer internship to an individual interested in assisting with this preservation and accuracy mission.

 

Intern duties:

 

The successful candidate for the M-WTCA Curatorial Internship will assist Mount Vernon’s curatorial staff with a variety of projects involving Mount Vernon’s tool collection. The first is to inventory and catalog a portion of the collection currently stored in our historic Kitchen building, consisting principally of tools used in food preparation and other domestic activities from the 18^th to 20^th centuries. He/She will be responsible for identifying these tools, assessing their condition, and conducting object photography. He/She will utilize Mount Vernon’s Library and Archives as well as the M-WTCA and their Ladies Auxiliary as resources and will consult with the Conservator about which objects may need conservation attention. The intern will then synthesize his/her research to make recommendations as to which objects are appropriate for display and which should be considered for possible deaccession.

 

The M-WTCA Curatorial Intern will also assist with the implementation and installation of new furnishing and interpretation plans for Mount Vernon’s Greenhouse/Slave Quarters complex. Located within the greenhouse complex (originally built in 1791-1792, destroyed by fire in 1835, and reconstructed in 1950-1951), these quarters housed a portion of Washington’s enslaved workforce at the time of his death. Two residential spaces (bunk rooms), a Stove Room and Shoemaker’s Shop are scheduled to reopen to the public in October 2010. Tasks related to this project might include, but are not limited to, developing and writing label texts, identifying and acquiring appropriate historic and reproduction items, and placing objects in the spaces.

 

 

Compensation and Hours:

 

The M-WTCA 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 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 19, 2010 please send letter of interest, resume, and the contact information for three references to:

 

           Jennifer Van Horn

           Assistant Curator

           George Washington’s Mount Vernon

           P.O. Box 110

           Mount Vernon, VA 22121

           Fax: 703.799.8698

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           No phone calls please

 

All applicants will be notified of the success of his/her application by April 30, 2010.

EOE