Jenrette Conservation Fellow

Historic New England, a national model for the care of regional heritage buildings, landscapes, and collections, is seeking a postgraduate conservation fellow specializing in objects conservation to join its Collections Services team.

Historic New England (HNE) is pleased to offer the Jenrette Conservation Fellowship, a postgraduate position in objects conservation.  Candidates with experience or interest in wooden artifacts and/or textiles will also be considered.  The term of the position is one year, commencing in September 2025.  The position is designed to provide advanced training in conservation, broadening the fellow’s technical skills and knowledge of a wide variety of objects and materials from the collection. HNE seeks motivated applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity with regard to culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and ability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Work directly with the Conservator and Mellon Conservation Fellow in the examination, photography, treatment, and research of objects in the institution’s permanent collection, both within the spacious, productive, and well-equipped conservation laboratory and on-site at HNE’s historic house museums. Additional duties include preventive conservation, exhibition preparation, integrated pest management, conservation laboratory tours, site staff training, and public outreach.

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES:

The successful applicant will balance a variety of projects and keep up to date with new developments in the field. The fellow must be able to work collaboratively with staff across the organization to meet team and institutional goals. 

Projects for the year include treatment, preparation, and installation of objects for two exciting exhibitions: Shoe Stories- the first exhibition slated for our new visitor center in HNE’s Center for Preservation and Collections (https://haverhillcenter.org/); and our semiquincentennial exhibition entitled Myth and Memory: Stories of the Revolution. Projects may also include treatments related to new furnishing plans based on the research of our Recovering New England Voices initiatives and site work such as stabilization and inpainting of in-situ decorative paint finishes and collections surveys, and preventive care activities at individual house museums.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

• Graduate degree from a recognized conservation training program


• Demonstrated interest in historic houses and collections


• Outstanding hand skills and a familiarity with current conservation materials


• Proficiency with digital photography


• Excellent communication and writing skills


• Proven time management, planning, and teamwork skills


• Experience with moving art and sculpture


• Must be flexible and well-organized


• Valid driver’s license and means of transportation required
  


• International candidates must currently possess a visa to work in the United States


• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA).
  


• Strong belief in, and demonstrated commitment to, Historic New England’s mission and values.

Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2025

The Jenrette Conservation Fellowship is made possible thanks to the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. (https://www.jenrette.org/)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Historic New England (HNE) is the oldest and largest regional preservation organization in the United States and owns and operates 38 historic sites. With more than 125,000 artifacts and 1.5 million archival documents, HNE has the most comprehensive and best-documented collection of New England life, including decorative arts and household furnishings, in the country. These collections are at the heart of our site experiences, public programs, and research. As reflected in our strategic agenda, The New England Plan, our mission is to save and share New England's stories and we are committed to growing our archival and artifact collections to reflect the diversity of the New England region. Increased regional diversity will help us tell broader stories about industry, trade, migration, labor, class, and taste in New England.  Ultimately, HNE seeks to build a collection that future generations will depend on to understand New England’s history.

The Conservation Team is an integral part of this mission, actively engaged in the treatment of objects, furniture, textiles, wallpaper, preventive conservation practices along with related research, teaching, and mentorship.

The fellowship is based at HNE's Center for Preservation and Collections in Haverhill, Massachusetts, approximately 45 minutes north of Boston.  Active nearby communities include Newburyport and Salem, Massachusetts and Portsmouth and Manchester, New Hampshire.  Haverhill is well located off interstates 95 and 495 with beaches, mountains and vibrant cities close by.

Other Duties:

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Historic New England is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.