Blog and Newsletter

The Rufus Porter Museum, founded in 2005 and located in Bridgton, Maine, seeks a part-time Museum Assistant (16 hours/week to start) to assist the Museum Director-Curator in the day-to-day operations of the museum. The Museum Assistant will support all aspects of museum operation, including administrative, customer service, and collections and exhibitions. Schedule is flexible, but some Saturdays and occasional evenings are required when the museum is open (June to October).

Qualifications: Demonstrated administrative and customer service skills required. Museum experience a plus. Preferred candidate will have strong organizational skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team. Familiarity with databases such as PastPerfect, DonorSnap, and accounting software like Quickbooks desired. Must be able to comfortably walk up and down stairs and be able to lift minimum of 20 lbs.

To Apply:

Please send resume with cover letter including references to Karla Leandri Rider, Museum Director-Curator, Rufus Porter Museum, director@rufusportermuseum.org

Qualified candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For additional information, please visit www.rufusportermuseum.org.

Librarian II - Cross-Functional Data Librarian

 

SALARY:  $14.90 – $19.91 hourly

OPEN:  December 20, 2018

CLOSES:  January 18, 2019

Website: https://mainebhr.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0jjtm/

 

This is a unique opportunity for an individual to perform professional services work for three Maine cultural institutions in a shared capacity.  The Maine State Library, Museum, and Archives seek a dynamic individual who has the interest and the experience to work with a variety of collections at each agency and to make them accessible through cataloging, digitizing, metadata tagging, and inventorying.  Work is performed under limited supervision.

 

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:  (A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned).

·         Catalogs, classifies, and indexes books, documents, periodicals, artifacts and other printed or digital matter in order to properly place them in the various collections of respective agencies.

·         Assists with digitizing collection items and uploading them into a digital repository.

·         Assigning metadata to digital items so they may be used as part of a digital archive.

·         Creating inventories of materials and prioritizing such materials for cataloging and digitizing.

·         Researches provenance, genealogical and or historical significance of items.

 

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:  (These are required to successfully perform the work assigned).

·         Knowledge of professional library, museum, and archival techniques, systems, procedures, and tools.

·         Knowledge of artifact handling.

·         Knowledge of software systems related to digital imaging, management, access, and preservation.

·         Knowledge of methods, techniques, and materials used in the care and preservation of permanent records in hard copy and electronic copy

·         Knowledge of metadata standards relevant to the archival control of digital collection materials.

·         Knowledge of collection development and maintenance principles and practices.

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

·         Ability to use and explain the use of catalogs, guides, indexes, bibliographies, and other such materials.

·         Ability to perform original cataloging and classification of represented materials.

·         Ability to use a variety of modern office and audio-visual equipment.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).

A Bachelors’ Degree in Library Science and two (2) years’ experience in professional library work -OR- an acceptable equivalent combination of related experience and/or training.

Hello from your Maine state rep for the AASLH Leadership in History Awards  program! Over the years, a number of Maine organizations have been recognized for their outstanding work through this program, including last year's honoree, the Seal Cove Auto Museum. It would be great to have a Maine recipient every year, and it is my job to help you through the nomination process. I am including the full press release below, which includes links to all the details. Please do no hesitate to contact me, Julia Gray, at riversidemuseumsolutions@gmail.com, if you have any questions, and let me know if you are putting together a nomination.

Call for AASLH Leadership in History Awards Nominations

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) invites nominations for the 2019 Leadership in History Awards. Now in its 70th year, the Awards Program is the most prestigious national recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of local, state, and regional history. AASLH initiated the Awards Program in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout America.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards Program recognizes exemplary work completed by state or federal historical societies, institutions, or agencies; regional, county, or local historical societies, institutions, or agencies; specialized subject societies in related fields such as oral history, genealogy, folklore, archaeology, business history, etc.; junior historical societies; privately owned museums or foundations; individuals; and organizations outside the field of traditional historical agencies. Awards are given for exhibits, public and educational programming, special projects, publications, multimedia, and individual achievement. Nominees need not be members of AASLH to qualify. See a list of 2018 winners.

Informational Video

To learn about the program and why you should apply, no matter what your budget size, AND get tips for how to put together an award-winning nomination watch this video of the informational webinar from 2018 which will give you an overview of the program, as well as providing tips for submitting a nomination (54 minutes).

Nominations are due on March 1, 2019. A list of state award representatives who can advise nominees can be found at the AASLH website. Nominations are then reviewed by a national committee in the summer of 2019 with a formal presentation of the awards made during the AASLH Annual Meeting, August 28 to 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About the American Association for State and Local History
The American Association for State and Local History is a non-profit association for state and local history, with a primary focus on history professionals, history volunteers, museums, historical societies, and other history-related organizations and public history professionals. AASLH provides leadership and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history to make the past more meaningful.

Students Explore Music History and the local PAL Hop

As the first Kids as Curators exhibition of 2019, students from Edward Little High School (ELHS) are curating, designing, and installing an exhibit in Museum L-A’s gallery space focused on the history of music in the local community titled “Nights at the PAL Hop: How Music Can Change History”. The Kids as Curators program is a collaborative effort between Museum L-A and students in the Lewiston-Auburn area to create a special exhibition. The public is invited to attend the free opening reception with a live musical performance of a student-led band from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

For this exhibit, the co-teacher team of Alyssa McLean and Sarah Brooks of ELHS approached Museum L-A with a new take on this long-standing educational program. Their idea combined students from two departments, music and social studies, and asked them to explore the history of music in the local area. Over the past semester, these kids delved into each decade to understand what music was popular and why. Much of their research centered around the famed PAL Hop of Lewiston, a local dance hall that many L-A residents may remember.

"I'm so proud of the creativity and professional work my students have put in to make this exhibit happen. We asked them to do a very large task but they rose to the challenge and worked really hard. They learned a lot along the way and had a lot of fun doing it,” says Alyssa McLean.

“Nights at the PAL Hop” will be the first of four Kids as Curators exhibitions for Museum L-A throughout the year as well as the kick off of programming coordinated by museum staff as part of the Historical Committee for the 150^th-anniversary celebration of the City of Auburn. The museum will be working with Auburn students from elementary school to high school to create exhibits held in locations around the community to showcase the history, the people, and the positivity of the younger generations during the city’s very special year. Check Museum L-A’s website for more information on these upcoming exhibitions.

“It is always amazing to see what our children are capable of as they work and become the curators of our local history as seen through their eyes,” says Rachel Desgrosseilliers, Executive Director.  “Not only are we excited that more classes are taking advantage of this program but that we can get the students involved in the yearlong 150^th Anniversary Celebrations of Auburn.”  This Kids as Curators exhibit has received support from Auburn’s 150^th Anniversary Committee.

Museum L-A is located in the Bates Mill Complex at 35 Canal Street in Lewiston, Maine.  Its hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.  Special tour requests and large group tours outside of these hours are available by appointment.

For more information, please contact info@museumla.org or call 207-333-3881. 

We want to share with you another announcement for the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program.  Applications for the 2019 cycle close this February 1^st, 2019.  Below I have included Twitter and Facebook links from the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) social media pages and our website that we hope you will share with your constituents and any other institutions that you think may benefit from the CAP program. 

 

The CAP program provides small and mid-size museums with support for a general conservation assessment. The assessment is a study of all the institution's collections, buildings, and building systems, as well as its policies and procedures relating to collections care. The recommendations for collections care can help institutions decide where to invest limited resources. It may also serve as a valuable tool in engaging a board, leadership, and other community partners. Applications are available from November 1^st, 2018 through February 1^st, 2019. 

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/conservators/status/1083080646510161921

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiconservation/posts/10157127943333680

Website: www.conservation-us.org/cap

Elizabeth Handwerk Kurt

CAP Program Assistant

The application period for the Society of American Archivists’ (SAA) Mosaic Scholarship is currently open, with a deadline of February 28, 2018.

 

The Mosaic Scholarship was established to provide financial and mentoring support to minority students pursuing graduate education in archival science, to encourage students to pursue careers in archives, and to promote the diversification of the American archival profession. The award is given to applicants who demonstrate excellent potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who manifest a commitment both to the archival profession and to advancing diversity concerns within it. 

 

Up to two scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded, contingent on available funds. In addition, each scholarship recipient receives a one-year complimentary membership to SAA and complimentary registration to the Society’s Annual Meeting for the year in which the scholarship was received.

 

For more information on the scholarship, eligibility requirements and application instructions, please visit: http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-mosaic.  Click here to apply!

Position Description

 The Executive Director is the senior executive of Greater Portland Landmarks. As an articulate spokesperson, s/he leads the community of Greater Portland in identifying, protecting, and revitalizing the historic structures, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks that give the community its cherished character.  

The Executive Director builds effective and enduring partnerships with key stakeholders – including developers, architects, craftspeople, neighborhood organizations, political leaders, city administrators, education systems, and other nonprofits – that advance Landmarks’ strategic objectives. 

The Executive Director manages all activities of the organization, ensures its financial strength, and supervises its staff. In partnership with the Board of Trustees, s/he plans, directs, and evaluates the initiatives and programs that carry out Landmarks’ mission.

Qualifications

 The Executive Director must be a strategic thinker with strong leadership and management skills. S/he must:

•  Be knowledgeable of the broad range of issues related to historic preservation and nonprofit management

• Show proven success in fundraising and be able to articulate a vision that attracts investment throughout the community

• Be prepared to advocate publicly for strong preservation laws and programs

• Be a skillful builder of coalitions among individuals, businesses, and public and private organizations that promote Landmarks’ goals

• Have superior verbal and written communications skills with a range of audiences

• Understand legislative, administrative, and other public and private decision-making processes

• Have the ability to build and maintain strong Board relations

• Be able to perform competently as a manager of other senior staff

• Be able to create a climate of open communication and trust

An advanced degree in Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Nonprofit Management, or related field is preferred.

A minimum of five years’ management experience is required.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Lead Landmarks by example, setting a standard of integrity, high energy, clear vision, sound decision-making, and passionate commitment to preserving and revitalizing Greater Portland’s remarkable legacy of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks.

• Engage and educate members, city officials, and the public to identify and advocate for the protection of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and parks. Inspire and lead the community to preserve its cherished character. Act as Landmarks’ principal spokesperson at public meetings and at other advocacy initiatives.

• Be an effective leader/collaborator with the Board of Trustees. Build involvement by developing relationships with individual Board members to energize and engage trustees in a meaningful and strategic manner.

• Create an organizational environment that supports the selection and development of a staff that is motivated and inspired to perform at the highest level.

 Fundraising:

•  In cooperation with the Board of Trustees, set financial goals and direct fundraising activities that ensure Landmarks’ ability to carry out its current mission and potentially to expand its organizational capacity.

• Cultivate and solicit major donors, foundations, business partners and government funders.

• Engage Board members in fundraising activities and donor solicitations.

• Seek earned income opportunities to provide sustainable income for Landmarks.

• Oversee the planning and execution of special events.

• Implement capital campaigns as directed by the Board.

 Management:

• Analyze appropriate staffing requirements for fulfillment of the organization’s goals and mission. Attract, hire, evaluate, and when necessary terminate staff.

• Lead the staff in developing and implementing annual operational plans with Board approval.

• Supervise and support the staff to ensure employees are meeting organizational goals as well as their individual professional goals.

• In cooperation with the Board Finance Committee, manage the organization’s finances.

• Oversee and direct the use, maintenance, and improvement of Safford House. Enhance Safford House as a working model of preservation in action and as an income-generating asset.

• Maintain and improve the Portland Observatory as an educational resource, a positive visitor experience, and as an income-generating asset.

Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Trustees through Board President

Work Schedule: Full time, with flexibility to attend evening and weekend meetings and events

Salary: Competitive salary and benefits

Specific Location: Portland, Maine

To Apply: Please submit your cover letter describing your interest in the position and how your background and experience make you uniquely suited to achieve success in this role, resume, and a list of three reference names with their contact information between January 3rd and January 30th, 2019 to:

 Greater Portland Landmarks
Attn: Jane Batzell, Search Committee Chair
jobs@portlandlandmarks.org

 Application deadline: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 5:00 pm Eastern. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning January 3, 2019. Questions? Please contact us at jobs@portlandlandmarks.org

For more information about the Greater Portland Landmarks Executive Director Search, visit www.portlandlandmarks.org/employment and please reference the following documents.

Greater Portland Landmarks Background Information

Greater Portland Landmarks Executive Director Position Description & Application Information

Greater Portland Landmarks 2019 Executive Director Search Press Release

Greater Portland Landmarks seeks 4 Preservation Interns to provide support for our Director of Advocacy in managing Landmarks’ Places in Peril endangered properties program and conducting reconnaissance level surveys in Portland and South Portland, historic seaport cities on the coast of Maine. Interns will be exposed to many facets of a community-based historic preservation organization through surveys, advocacy, activities and events.

Several Greater Portland initiatives have looked at the impact of climate change on the infrastructure of Portland and South Portland waterfront communities. However, there has been no study to date addressing the impact of sea level rise on historic structures in either community. The Greater Portland Historic Resources Survey will identify and document historic resources in two neighborhoods, one in South Portland and one in Portland, that are threatened by the impacts of climate change. The team of interns will conduct field surveys and archival research, produce written and photographic documentation, and complete data entry of survey information for two historic waterfront neighborhoods. In addition, interns will work on the Places in Peril Program providing assistance with all aspects of the endangered properties selection process, inspect easement properties, attend selected civic and neighborhood meetings, and work with an enthusiastic staff of preservation professionals.

Primary Duties

• Conduct Reconnaissance Level Survey of properties according to Maine Historic Preservation Commission standards.

• Photograph historic resources with a digital camera. o Create and maintain maps of surveyed resources.

• Enter field notes and photographs into Maine’s Cultural & Architectural Resource Management Archive and prepare for transmittal to Portland’s Historic Preservation Program.

• Assist the Director of Advocacy with research for local historic district nominations.

• Manage nominations process for the 2019 Places in Peril program, including media releases.

• Research properties being considered for endangered property status, maintain paper and electronic files, take media-quality photographs, and create short building profile summaries for use in documenting and selecting nominated endangered properties, and publicizing selected properties.

• Prepare pre-meeting information packets and Power Point presentations for selection process.

Ancillary Duties

• Assist Director of Advocacy in inspecting Landmarks’ preservation easement properties; document condition of these properties.

• Write articles for the Greater Portland Landmarks magazine, blog posts, and website posts as assigned.

• Conduct research on how selected communities across the country identify and protect historic cobblestone and granite paver streets. Document historic pavers in parts of Bayside to be used as a resource for the City of Portland. Prepare a preservation approach for the City of Portland.

• Attend meetings of the Advocacy and Places in Peril Selection Committees. Draft minutes and meeting notes.

• Participate in a variety of preservation-related activities and community meetings. Supervision

Position reports to Director of Advocacy

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in, or have graduated from a graduate program in historic preservation, urban planning, community development, American studies, American history or architectural history. Recent undergraduate college graduates will be considered but must have a very strong background in above areas and strong writing skills.

• Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and National Register of Historic Preservation nomination standards is highly beneficial.

• Experience in, or knowledge of, cultural resource surveys and research methods is beneficial.

• Applicant should have excellent interpersonal communication skills, the ability to participate successfully as member of team-based environment, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Solid office skills and use of Microsoft products (Office, Excel, Outlook, Power Point). Familiarity with InDesign is beneficial.

• Applicants should have excellent writing skills, be highly organized and efficient, and have an ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Ability to operate a digital camera and compose quality architecture and landscape photographs is required.

• A car is not required, but may be helpful. The applicant must be sufficiently mobile to travel up and down city blocks for several hours at a time and to climb stairs.

• Some familiarity with New England architecture is preferred but not required.

Honorarium: $3,000 for 10 weeks

Housing: If needed, housing is available in private homes.

Service Dates: June 3rd - August 16th (10 weeks within those dates, some flexibility to accommodate college schedules)

To Apply: Interested candidates please send cover letter explaining your background and interest in the internship projects, a resume, writing sample, photography samples, and three references by February 15, 2019 to: Hilary D. Bassett, Executive Director, Greater Portland Landmarks, hbassett@portlandlandmarks.org, Preservation Intern in subject line. Electronic applications are preferred.

Greater Portland Landmarks Mission

To preserve and revitalize Greater Portland’s remarkable legacy of historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes and parks.

Vision

Greater Portland residents and visitors will appreciate,protect and support the historic fabric and architecture of the community, thus enriching our lives and those of generations to come.

Beliefs

• The maintenance and enhancement of our historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes and parks support sustainability, spur economic development and help to make Greater Portland one of the most vital communities in America.

• The design, quality and condition of the built environment affect our sense of well-being, evoke the power of the past and embody our aspirations for the future.

• Historic structures can and should be adapted to fit modern uses while maintaining their integrity and character.

• Education is essential to carry forward the stories and achievements of the past and to rally the public to preserve and revitalize Greater Portland’s legacy for the future. 

The Brick Store Museum seeks a part-time Museum Services Associate to carry out the Museum’s public services including visitor information; development database management and processing; staffing special events and programs; front desk administration; and press and marketing outreach.

Duties include: responding to public inquiries; managing the welcome desk and museum store inventory; upkeep of development database (via PastPerfect); process incoming donations and memberships; coordinating mailings; working some evening and weekend events; ordering museum supplies; entering weekly accounts payable; cultivating new partnerships and identifying new partners in the southern Maine community; and managing online events calendars and press outreach.

Qualifications include two or more years of experience working in a museum, customer service or nonprofit setting; working in a team as well as independently; an understanding of the importance of local history; and strong organizational and communication skills. In working with the public, a friendly, optimistic approach to your work is extremely important. You will be joining a small team seeking to push the envelope of local history in southern Maine.

The position is part-time at 20 hours per week, partial benefits included, with a starting hourly rate of $15/hour. Hours are flexible, however to serve our public, one weekend day is required. Occasional night and additional weekend work is essential to our functioning. If you are interested in giving your talents to help the Museum succeed, consider submitting your resume AND letter of interest to Cynthia Walker, Executive Director, at cwalker@brickstoremuseum.org by January 15^th.

The Penobscot Marine Museum seeks two full-time museum interns for summer 2019. These are general museum internships providing hands-on work experience in the daily operations of a medium-sized museum. Interns will actively participate in multiple departments including visitor’s services, education, curatorial, marketing, and photo archives. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who would like to learn more about the variety of jobs available in the museum field, and also can be tailored for a more specific experience. About 40% of the internship will be public programming and the remaining 60% will be spent on other projects. These internships will include visits to local cultural institutions.

Internship Duties:

•  Lead daily public programming 3 or 4 days a week
• Attend daily front line staff meetings
• Assist with or lead 2 weeklong children’s camps
• Contribute to PMM’s Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Assist with special events
• Complete a short-term curatorial project such as cataloguing, numbering, and rehousing new acquisitions or identifying objects and writing interpretive labels for the 2020 exhibit
• Complete a short-term photo archives project such as scanning and cataloguing a selection of the Kosti Ruohomaa Collection
• In the second half of the internship, complete a larger project in the department of the intern’s choosing
• Open and close the Savage Education Center
• Staff the front desk for a half hour 3-4 times a week

Internship Length and Dates:

• 8 weeks
• June 13 - August 8, 2019
• July 4^th is a work day
• Work some nights and every other weekend
• 40 hours a week

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program or graduate program in museum studies, history, public history, archival studies, library science with concentration in archives and special collections, education, material culture, or related field
• Coursework in history and/or education
• Interest in museums and/or maritime history
• Experience working with children
• Experience working with the public
• Excellent computer skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and social media
• Familiarity with PastPerfect a plus, training available
• Must be willing to work some weekends

Compensation

• $12/hour
• PMM will provide assistance locating housing, if desired. On-site housing may also be available.

Review of applicants will begin February 15^th, 2019 and will continue until the positions are filled. Please submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts (official or unofficial) and one letter of recommendation to Jeana Ganskop at jganskop@pmm-maine.org.