Jobs
The MHS is currently looking to fill two part-time staff positions.
Research Associate
The Madison Historical Society (MHS) seeks an enthusiastic and knowledgeable person for part-time employment as a Research Associate working with the collections chairperson.
The successful applicant will be familiar with antiques, archival practices, and historical periods--and will be socially adept, enthusiastic, curious, and trustworthy. A college degree in museum arts or science or a related field is required, as is the ability to use cloud-based computer systems and social media networks. Previous experience with archival software is a plus. The Research Associate will work at both Lee’s Academy and the Allis-Bushnell House in downtown Madison with oversight by the Collections Chair and general supervision by the MHS Executive Director.
For this position, the successful candidate will need:
- Organizational and interpersonal skills
- Time management skills
- Research and writing skills
- Knowledge of museum practices, art history, history, and nonprofit functions
- Computer literacy, including the use of personal digital devices
- Social media account management experience
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field such as museum studies, fine arts, library sciences, history, art history, or archaeology.
Compensation is $15 per hour for 18 hours per week. We strongly encourage interested parties to apply by sending their cover letter and resume to: director@madisonhistory.org.
Public Engagement Manager
The Madison Historical Society (MHS) seeks a creative, energetic, and collaborative individual to serve as a part-time public engagement manager to develop, organize, promote, and implement new programming. This self-directed individual will further promote MHS events and improve general public awareness of the MHS through the dissemination of press releases and social media postings. The public engagement manager will further work with the exhibit and youth education chairs to assist with all aspects of the development of programs and events that relate to any new exhibits and MHS school tours. This person will also train and manage docents for tours and events at our historic properties.
The successful candidate will possess the following qualities:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
- Friendly and welcoming demeanor
- Creative spirit and can-do attitude
- Ability to contribute new ideas and fresh perspectives.
The candidate is required to have a college degree with coursework in museum studies, history, or communications. A working knowledge of museum best practices is also needed, along with a strong desire to learn all aspects that define a successful historical society and a vibrant museum. The MHS believes that public programming is the key to garnering more membership support and meeting the needs and interests of diverse audiences. Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range will be $20 to $25 per hour for 10 to 15 hours per week. We strongly encourage interested parties to apply by sending their cover letter and resume to: director@madisonhistory.org.
Internships
The Madison Historical Society is pleased to offer internships throughout the year. College and university juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates whose areas of major concentration have included museum studies, history, American studies, art history, or related programs are welcome to inquire.
Please note: Summer internships for 2022 are now full. We look forward to hearing from you next year.
Internships:
- are individually tailored to match your goals to our needs;
- may be offered or can be arranged during the academic year as well as in the summer months;
- can have a flexible term of commitment, from several weeks to several months. A minimum of four weeks is required; the average internship is eight to twelve weeks;
- require a personal interview with our executive director and/or collections chair;
- are modestly paid;
- do not include housing or transportation;
- will include a letter of reference upon completion.
Course credit may be obtained for extensive, full-time internships if the intern independently presents a proposal to his or her educational institution.
Archival Interns
Primary focus will be on library management and cataloging of history books and genealogies, maps, historic building files, and local history manuscripts. The intern will work with the executive director or collections chair. Filing, boxing, storage, conservation, creating search systems, and assisting both visiting independent scholars and building plaque program researchers may be among the responsibilities.
Exhibitions Interns
In Summer 2022, our primary focus will be on exhibition development, interpretation, research, and signage for the Madison Center for History and Culture. An intern may develop a case or small gallery exhibition based on his or her personal interests and independent research related to the MHS collection and/or the history and culture of its properties or the historic coastal Connecticut environment.
Curatorial Interns
Primary focus will be on collections management and museum operations. Working closely with the collections chair, the intern will assist with cataloging, conservation, record-keeping, inventory, research and identification, storage, acquisitions, and other concerns involved with the care and management of the MHS collection.
Preservation Interns
Primary focus will be on researching documents and images that support our Plaqued Structures program and our Historic Resources Inventory of Madison's oldest and most threatened properties.
For more information, please contact us. Call 203. 245.4567 or contact us by E-mail.
What Our Interns have said about their Experience
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As someone interested in the study of history, an internship with the Madison Historical Society was a meaningful way to spend the summer. My internship not only exposed me to Madison’s abundant history but allowed me to research and write about that history myself. Additionally, I acquired useful organizational skills and an appreciation for the dedication necessary for working at a nonprofit. Most importantly, I got to work alongside kind people who use their passion for history to better their community.Maxwell Brunner, Colgate University
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As an intern with the Madison Historical Society, I gained valuable experience in preparing research, copy writing for print and digital, and preparing collateral for events. My time with the historical society prepared me for a later internship with a university press, and eventually led me to a career in B2B publishing.Amanda Hurlburt, Marist College
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Prior to my internship, the town of Madison was quite unknown to me. Now, I can honestly say that it was a privilege to work in this town and develop a relationship with its historical society. This organization is held together by considerate and passionate people who welcomed me into their world and always tried to incorporate all of my interests into the tasks they had me complete. They went out of their way to ensure that I gained all the experiences I was looking for. I never felt like my opinion did not matter or that my work was not valued. This internship taught me that taking a risk can pay off in the best of ways and can lead to unexpected, but meaningful relationships.Gabrielle Rosado, University of Connecticut