Human Resources
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens
PO Box 110
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
703-799-5081 (phone)
703-780-8320 (fax)
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Position: Curatorial Internship Fall 2013
Department:
Historic Preservation and Collections
Introduction:
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; in addition to the Mansion and outbuildings, it also features an Orientation Center, Education Center, and Museum. The estate welcomes approximately 1 million visitors
a year. Major responsibilities of the Collections Department include ensuring that the objects on view in the Mansion and outbuildings are historically accurate and preserved for these visitors and developing and maintaining permanent and changing exhibitions
in the Museum galleries of the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center and Museum.
Internship description:
Under the immediate supervision of the Associate Curator, the intern’s primary responsibility will be to assist with research and development of a comprehensive furnishing plan for the nine bedchambers
in the Mansion. The intern will also create “desiderata” sheets for any proposed objects needed to implement the furnishing plan.
Other responsibilities may include:
Contributing information for object-based blog entries (www.georgewashingtonwired.com).
Other projects as assigned.
Compensation and hours:
The intern is expected to fulfill a 100-hour commitment during the Fall 2013 semester (approx. 8-10 hrs/wk during the period Sept. 30, 2013 – Dec. 2013). The exact schedule will be determined in
consultation with the supervisor. Compensation in the amount of $3,000 is offered for this internship, payable on Mount Vernon’s bi-weekly pay schedule. Mount Vernon is happy to work with the intern’s academic program to provide credit for the internship period.
Qualifications:
Applicants should be currently enrolled in or recent graduates of M.A. or Ph.D. programs in American material culture or decorative arts, Museum Studies, American Studies, or Public History. Preference
will be given to applicants who possess a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of 18th-century fine or decorative arts or Chesapeake social history. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and possess strong research and writing skills.
How to apply:
By May 24, 2013,
Please send a résumé and letter of interest stating how you would benefit from an internship at Mount Vernon, plus contact information for three references, to Amanda
Isaac, Associate Curator ([log in to unmask] )
Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer