Historic New England, Visitor Experience

Archival Researcher

Archival Researcher

Historic New England

Classification: Part-time, 10 hours per week, term-limited 6-months

Location: Dorchester, MA

Start Date: Mid-to-Late January

Compensation: $30/hour

Application Due Date: December 11, 2022

Description:

Historic New England, the region’s largest preservation and conservation organization, is seeking applicants for a part-time research position to support the launch of a new education initiative at the 1683 Pierce House in Dorchester, Massachusetts: “Teaching the Full Dorchester Story.” The goal of this program is to recenter youth education programs at Pierce House and engage students through the stories of enslaved, free black, and other marginalized people during the Colonial and Revolution Era to foster a deeper, more relevant understanding of our nation’s history.

This is a term-limited, six-month appointment of an average of ten hours per week, during which the researcher will utilize primary source material available through Historic New England’s extensive collections and archives, as well as the Dorchester Historical Society, city records, and other Boston-area resources, including speaking to members of the community. Their work will unearth sources of which we are currently unaware and uncover additional perspectives and experiences from those who may have lived alongside or had contact with the Pierce family.

Ideal candidates are scholars who work with New England history but specialize in subjects requiring challenging archival research, such as those of oppressed, marginalized, and erased groups. Therefore, the position will require creative thinking and problem solving as well as experience with “reading between the lines” or “reading against the grain” of primary sources and narratives.

Historic New England welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusion.

Those who are connected to the communities and groups impacted by this work are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct primary and secondary research about the Pierce House in Dorchester, Mass. to find sources, stories, and information to support the goals of “Teaching the Full Dorchester Story”
• Connect to and work with the Dorchester Historical Society, members of the Dorchester community, and any other appropriate organizations and individuals
• Work on a team with Historic New England staff to ensure the successful planning and execution of the program

Qualifications:

• A completed Master’s degree or expected completion before the term of employment begins, in history or a related field specializing in New England history
• Comfort and experience with challenging archival research, particularly in oppressed, erased, and underrepresented history
• Ability to work both independently and cohesively on a team
• Comfort working with data management software programs
• Means of transportation and ability to travel to our collections and archives offices as well as any libraries, archives, and research sites throughout the region

Preferred Qualifications:

• A completed Ph. D. or expected completion before the term of employment with a specialty in New England history and archival research
• Experience conducting outreach to and working with historical societies and community groups
• Experience conducting oral histories

Application Requirements:

• CV with Work Experience
• 1-3 page single-spaced statement discussing your academic research interests, your archival experience, and why you are a fit for this position

Please send applications to jobs@historicnewengland.org

Historic New England is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to supporting equality of opportunity and respect for diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity in employment to all qualified persons without regard to non-work-related factors such as race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.