If you work at an historic site, there are extraordinary training opportunities available to you but you may have never heard of them. Here are a few that I recommend for further exploration either because I’ve attended or have received rave reviews over the years:
Undergraduates
Historic Deerfield Summer Fellowship Program. Based in Historic Deerfield’s eleven museum buildings, state-of-the-art exhibition and storage facility, and library, all within the village of Old Deerfield (western Massachusetts), this all expenses-paid, intensive nine-week living-learning program offers a rare behind the scenes view of the workings of a museum, and a thorough investigation of early New England history and material life. Accepts seven undergraduates enrolled as either juniors or seniors who are majoring in American studies, architecture, art history, design, history, preservation, or museum studies. Previous graduates from NTHS include Max van Balgooy. Applications due early March.
Graduates and Professionals
Attingham Summer School. The program focuses on the preservation, collections, and interpretation of the English country house from the late 16th century to the early 20th century by visiting about twenty-five historic houses for three weeks in July along with seminars and lectures by specialists. It is a unique and strenuous approach to art education for museum curators, architectural historians, conservators, and educators from around the world. Previous graduates from NTHS include Jack Braunlein and Max van Balgooy. Application deadline is the end of January.
The Program in New England Studies offers an intensive learning experience with lectures by specialists in architecture, history, preservation, and the decorative arts; workshops; and specialized tours of historic sites, museums, and private houses. For a week in June, the program teaches the history of New England culture through artifacts and architecture in a way that no other museum in the Northeast can match. Through in-depth presentations and tours, we will examine architecture, building design, and material culture of the region. For more information, contact Kenneth Turino or visit HistoricNewEngland.org.
Professionals
The Smithsonian Fellowships in Museum Practice program invites proposals from experienced museum professionals, researchers, and training providers. The program, unique in the museum profession worldwide, supports research about issues of theory and practice in education, curation, exhibition, administration and other museum functions and disciplines. Fellows are in-residence at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC for up to six months. Deadline for application is mid-February.
Seminar for Historical Administration provides an intensive residential professional development experience for history professionals for three weeks in Indianapolis, Indiana. SHA is specifically targeted to full-time, paid staff of history museums, historic sites, preservation, or other history/museum organizations with three to ten years’ experience and who are now in a position of administrative responsibility or are preparing for such a position. SHA is the longest-running professional development seminar in the country and the only one sponsored by six major history and museum organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation. About 15-20 persons are accepted annually and previous graduates from NTHS include Craig Tuminaro, Erin Carlson Mast, Sandra Smith, Frank Aucella, Judy Clark, and Jim Vaughan. Applications are due mid-May.
Funding
Many of these programs include funding for participants based on either need or qualifications. In addition, staff at National Trust Historic Sites are eligible for Training Scholarships through the Interpretation and Education Fund. Applications are received twice a year and provide up to $1000 for registration and travel expenses.
