Curatorial Internship Fall 2015

Introduction:
The Historic Preservation and Collections Department of George Washington's Mount Vernon is pleased to invite applications for a fall 2015 Curatorial Internship. This internship will offer a unique and exciting opportunity to pursue original material culture research in an extensive array of primary documents, including George and Martha Washington's correspondence, financial records, and estate papers.

Responsibilities:
The specific focus of the internship is to document transportation equipment owned and used by the Washingtons and their household between 1750 and 1802. Using a methodology developed and piloted by the curatorial staff over the past year, the intern will review specified primary documents, extract references to vehicles and related equipment, and enter this data into a furnishing plan database. This data will be used to construct a longitudinal history of the Washingtons' transportation equipment, as one aspect of a long-term, comprehensive furnishing plan for the Mansion and outbuildings (including the stable and coach house). It will also support planning for the restoration and future display of the 18th-century Powel coach and the reinterpretation of the stable, coach house, and stable yard. Many of the documents are accessible on-line. The paid internship is 20 hours/week (target) for 10 weeks (or an equivalent number of hours). Compensation in the amount of $2,500 (gross) is offered, payable on Mount Vernon's bi-weekly pay schedule.  Applicants are responsible for their own housing and travel arrangements.  Mount Vernon is happy to work with the intern's academic program to provide credit for the internship period.

Qualifications:
*         Bachelor's degree in American history, American studies, material culture, museum studies, public history, or related field
*         Graduate coursework or master's degree preferred
*         Familiarity desired with primary source research, 18th-century handwriting and databases
*         Ability to work independently, accurately record information and proofread required

Start date (target): September/October 2015

To apply:
Please submit electronically: curriculum vitae, cover letter and writing sample (3 pages or less) by: September 18, 2015 via our website {following link below} to: Collections/Curatorial Internship Fall 2015: then click on blue button/tab: "Apply for this position".
http://www.mountvernon.org/about/employment/open-positions-at-mount-vernon/

Point of contact: Dr. Susan P. Schoelwer, Robert H. Smith Senior Curator,[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.