Marg M. Balcom Archival Fellowship, Natick Historical Society, (Natick, MA)
Posted March 25, 2026
Description
The Natick Historical Society invites applications for the Marg M. Balcom Archival Fellowship, a paid, part-time opportunity for an aspiring or emerging archivist to gain hands-on experience in archival processing, historical research, and work with special-format materials.
The Fellowship honors Marg M. Balcom, former Director, former President of the Board, and longtime volunteer of the Natick Historical Society. Beginning in 2007, Marg offered wisdom and leadership across many areas of the organization, but the archives were always her special interest. This fellowship celebrates her commitment to preserving and making the Natick Historical Society’s archival resources accessible.
The Balcom Fellow will receive basic archival processing training before working more independently to process a selected collection at the Natick Historical Society. The Fellow will report to and collaborate with NHS staff on all aspects of archival processing. Project selection will be determined by the Director and supervising staff in accordance with current institutional priorities.
Recent fellowship projects have included the Founders Collection, a significant body of documents, books, and manuscripts acquired by the Natick Historical Society over many decades. These materials date primarily from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and relate closely to Natick’s history. Portions of this collection are expected to be digitized and made available online in the coming years.
Responsibilities
- Archival processing and arrangement
- Rehousing and basic preservation work
- Description and finding aid preparation
- Historical research
- Work with photographs, rare books, manuscripts, and related collection materials
Qualifications
- At least one year of graduate-level coursework in an MLIS, archives, public history, museum studies, or closely related program preferred
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Interest in local history, archives, and historical collections
- Experience with Google Docs and Google Sheets preferred
- Familiarity with PastPerfect helpful, but not required
Hours and Compensation
- Part-time, onsite position
- 75 hours total
- Compensation: $20 per hour
- Schedule arranged in coordination with NHS staff
At the conclusion of the fellowship, the Balcom Fellow will share a summary of their work with the Natick Historical Society community.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Jen Richards, Archivist & Research Manager, [email protected]. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Jennifer Richards, MLISArchivist & Research ManagerNatick Historical Society
58 Eliot Street
Natick, MA 01760