Project Archivist, Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA
Posted January 3, 2022
Description:
The Opportunity.
This Project Archivist will be working with materials from the Fruitlands Museum collection. Fruitlands’ name comes from a short-lived, but historically significant utopian experimental community founded by Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane and centered at the Fruitlands farmhouse. The site was later preserved by Clara Endicott Sears, a Boston-born writer, preservationist, and philanthropist, in the early 20th century and opened as a museum in 1914. Sears amassed several collections of note, including one of the strongest collections of Shaker objects and archives in the country. The site also contains several historic buildings, including the farmhouse Louisa May Alcott lived in briefly as a child and that later laid the foundation for Little Women. The archives for the site include an important Transcendentalist collection of materials relating to its early history as a utopian community. The site sits atop a remarkable prospect across vast acres of conservation land, providing important opportunities to share and celebrate connections between the fine arts collection, historical collections, and the landscape.
In this role you will:
The Project Archivist will be physically working at the Archives & Research Center (ARC) in Sharon, MA. In 2008, The Trustees opened this state-of-the-art center to share our historical object and archives collections with the public. While most objects are kept in their respective historic homesteads, the ARC is a place for research and collaboration, and a site also where our digital resources can be managed. The ARC is the hub for all Trustees archival material from across the state.
We are seeking an ambitious, self-directed individual to serve as a full-time Project Archivist who will process Fruitlands Museum’s historic Shaker photographs, as well as catalogue the Fruitlands Shaker and Transcendentalist archival collections in accordance with DACS guidelines. Overseen by the Digital Archivist, the Project Archivist will be trained in our processing and cataloguing procedures which includes working in The Trustees’ new collection management system (CMS), Qi. Qi is a web browser-based relational collections management system that integrates information and documents into a single system. The Trustees recently migrated to Qi, and the new system offers really exciting functionality to synthesize our collections across the state. The ideal candidate will be able to help refine the ARC’s cataloging procedures for the new CMS. In addition to processing the Shaker photograph collection and cataloging the Shaker and Transcendentalist collections, the Project Archivist will help select highlights from the collections to share online. The Project Archivist will catalogue these selections in Qi on the item level and create digital surrogates, using either a flatbed scanner or camera, and following the ARC’s digitization procedures.
Qualifications:
The position is for 18-months, with an optimal start-date of March 1, 2022. The Project Archivist will work closely with and report to the Digital Archivist. The Project Archivist will be an integral member of our Cultural Resources team.
- Masters in Library Science, with an archives or cultural heritage concentration from an ALA-accredited institution.
- Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline preferred, such as American history.
- Experience working with photographic materials in an archives or special collections setting. Knowledge of best practices for handling and describing different types of photographic materials.
- A minimum of two years recent experience cataloging archives and special collections, particularly visual materials.
- Familiarity with the principals and practices of archival description; practical experience with Describing Archives: a Content Standard (DACS) preferred.
- Experience applying controlled vocabularies, particularly the Library of Congress Name Authority File and the Thesaurus for Graphic Materials.
- Demonstrated ability to create and enter accurate, consistent metadata.
- Solid computer skills in Microsoft Office; intermediate to advanced skill level with Excel.
- Experience with data entry or similar detail-oriented projects.
- Familiarity with standard collections care, archives and museum practices, and best practices for object handling is required.
- Practical experience with digitization and digital assets within an archives setting preferred.
- Familiarity with digital imaging applications, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, preferred.
- Experience with digital audiences and online collections preferred.
- Ability to work at a keyboard and in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to work efficiently and meticulously.
- Demonstrated problem solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Other Requirements:
- While performing the duties of this job, the Project Archivist is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds unassisted and climb and reach on step stools and rolling ladders.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Any offer for employment is contingent on a satisfactory criminal background check (CORI).
Benefits and Salary:
This is a full-time, 18-month, paid position. The annual salary will be $40,000-$44,000, commensurate with experience. This position will be based at the Archives & Research Center in Sharon, MA. In addition, The Trustees offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, vacation, sick and personal time, as well as the option to participate in our 401(k) savings plan (see below). We also offer the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors, who love the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.
How to Apply:
To read the full job description and apply, visit: