Job Posting for Open Positions at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

I am writing from the Historic Trades Department at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. We are seeking qualified candidates to work in our department as historic interpreters. The positions are part-time, with flexible hours and days. We believe both undergraduate and graduate history students would be excellent candidates. Can you please distribute the attached flyer and information to your students?  

Learn a Historic Trade at 

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Part-time — Flexible hours and days — Seasonal — Costumes provided 

Excellent for undergraduate and graduate history students

Located 16 miles south of Washington, DC, Mount Vernon is the most visited historic home in America and welcomes over one million visitors annually. Situated on the main estate, the Pioneer Farm is a four-acre working farm that interprets Washington’s innovation in the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Located three miles from the main estate, Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill highlight the industrial aspects of Mount Vernon.

Apply here: https://www.mountvernon.org/about/employment/

Look for “Historic Trades Interpreters”

If you have question or comments, please contact me, Sam Murphy, Historic Trades Manager, at smurphy@mountvernon.org.  Best,

Samuel G. Murphy Manager, Historic Trades __________________________________
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
Post Office Box 110, Mount Vernon, Virginia  22121 O:  703.799.8611 | C: 843.359.4107 mountvernon.org| @mountvernon

Spring 2019 Course Registration Opening

A semester of FIRSTS!  Registration for Spring 2019 has begun for all new and continuing students.  The Public History & Historic Preservation Certificate Program is offering an array of courses this upcoming semester and we want you to be part of it!  For the FIRST time ever, we’re offing a course at our Annandale Campus, History 181 – Intro to Historic Preservation!  Many of our alumni, current students, and potential students have asked us for this to happen and we’ve been able to deliver!  Furthermore, for the FIRST time in years, History 186 – Collections Management, is being offered again.  Even if you’ve completed your certificate, come on back and enroll, joining our current students in this elective.  Many of our more recent alumni have not had an opportunity to take this class and it would be great to see you’all again.  Finally, for the FIRST time, History 187 – Interpreting Material Culture is going to offered at our new Reston Center, conveniently located just east of the Wiehle Road Silver Line Station and the Dulles Toll Road.  This really is a semester of FIRSTS for our program!  Don’t miss out, because there are no more excuses!  Classes start January 14th, 2019.

History 181 – Intro to Historic Preservation, Annandale Campus (16-week hybrid course, Wednesdays, 7:00pm-8:15pm).  Taught by Dr. Marc Dluger, you’ll learn about the fundamental principles of historic preservation, listen to guest speakers engaged in local preservation efforts here in the region, visit historic sites, attend local preservation commissions, and go through the preliminary process of nominating potential sites for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.  This is a hybrid course, meaning some of the material and assignments are delivered online, but combining the traditional in-class educational experience, as well.  This give students greater flexibility to engage in all of this awesome historic preservation material!

History 186 – Collections Management, Loudoun Campus (16-week course, Tuesdays, 7:00pm-9:40pm).  Taught by Ms. Heather Bollinger, Historic Records Manager at the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center, students will discover the in’s and out’s of archival work, collections management, processing, basic preservation techniques, digitization & accessibility, and visit local repositories.  It has been at least four years since we’ve been able to offer this class, which makes it a very rare and unique opportunity that you should not miss!

History 187 – Introduction to Material Culture, Reston Center (16-week course, Mondays, 7:00pm-9:55pm).  Also taught by Dr. Dluger, this class focuses on understanding and learning how to read non-textual historical records.  More often than not, most students learn about history through primary source documents, such as letters and diaries.  In this class, you’ll learn how to “read” objects and how those non-traditional sources can provide their own historical insight and perspective.  We’ll dive into topics like gender, toys, consumerism, roadside America, and historic house museums.

History 218 – Introduction to Digital History, Online (8-week course, January 14 to March 10).  Taught by Dr. Charlie Evans, this online digital history course empowers students to move beyond your typical research paper project, learning how to adapt historical research skills to various online platforms.  The online course structure allows students to fully embrace the material and provide tangible, real-world projects that they can use to promote their history talents to broader audiences.

Again, registration is open now and classes start January 14th!  Do not miss this opportunity to join the most exciting public history and historic preservation program in Northern Virginia.

Reston Museum to Hold Program

The Reston Historic Trust & Museum to host a free public program titled “The History of Reston Sports, Pioneers, Players, and Playing Fields” presented by Bill Bouie. Mr. Bouie has served in formal and informal roles in various community athletic organizations including Reston Little League, Reston Youth Baseball, Reston’s YMCA Board of Management, and the United States Olympic Committee’s Project Gold, and many others. The presentation will take place on November 8th at 7pm at the YMCA on Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190.

Spring Curatorial Internships at the U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Internship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to build a substantial working knowledge of the role, functions, and history of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Program offers a compelling study experience and valuable exposure to work in a professional environment. Special enrichment opportunities include attending Court sessions as well as seminars organized by the Supreme Court Fellows.
The Office of the Curator at the Supreme Court of the United States is currently accepting applications for Spring 2019 internships. For more than 40 years, interns have played an integral role in the Curator’s Office, contributing their skills and enthusiasm to completing substantive projects that assist the curatorial staff in fulfilling our mission to preserve the records and history of the Supreme Court and provide visitors with information on Court history and architecture. Additionally, all interns gain valuable public speaking and interpersonal skills by regularly conducting tours and Courtroom Lectures and by staffing a Visitor Desk.
A detailed description of our program and application instructions can be found on the Supreme Court’s website: http://www.supremecourt.gov/jobs/curatorial_internship/InternshipInfoSheet.aspx. Please share this link with any students who may be interested in applying. We encourage students to submit applications as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline of Monday, October 15.
Please note: Interns will gain an understanding of museum practices and procedures and a thorough introduction to the history and functions of the Supreme Court, however this is not a legal internship. It does not involve working with legal functions of the Court.
Students may submit questions regarding the Supreme Court Internship Program via web form or by phone at 202-479-3415.
We look forward to reading applications from your students.