Historic New England awarded prestigious Save America's Treasures grant

On December 13, 2007, Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry and Congressman John Tierney jointly announced that Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, in Gloucester, Mass., was awarded a $500,000 Save America's Treasues grant from the National Park Service. This award, which must be matched 100 percent with local private donations, will fund critical preservation work to mitigate moisture-related deterioration at the eclectic showpiece of one of America's first professional interior designers, Henry Davis Sleeper.

Senior Curator Richard Nylander retires after four decades with Historic New England

After more than forty years of researching, writing, and preserving the architectural and decorative arts of the New England region, and setting new standards for interpreting historic house interiors, Historic New England Senior Curator Richard Nylander retired at the end of March.

Historic photographs from the Historic New England collections now available!

All prints are made from high-resolution scans of historic images from our collections and are produced in black and white on matte, high quality paper. Prints have not been edited to correct imperfections in the original photograph, but may be corrected for brightness or contrast. Mats are a neutral off-white color, are of conservation quality, and sized to fit standard frames.

If you are interested in purchasing these images or others not shown, please contact the Library and Archives at photoorders@historicnewengland.org or at 1-617-227-3957 ext. 271.

A larger selection of images will be available through the website in fall 2007.

All images are intended for private non-commercial use. Orders take two weeks to process, and there are additional charges for shipping and handling.

Members receive a 10% discount!

	Wreck of the Minnie C., Nantucket, Mass., ca. 1897 Photographer: Baldwin Coolidge
	Swan Boat, Public Garden, Boston, Mass., ca. 1883 Photographer: Baldwin Coolidge
	The Red Sox Ball Club, Fenway Park, 1912 Postcard
	Marshes, Newburyport, Mass., ca. 1885 Photographer: Emma Lewis Coleman
	Coleman Family Portrait, Cottage City, Mass., 1887 Photographer: John N. Chamberlain
	White Island Light, Isles of Shoals, N.H., ca. 1905 Photographer: Henry G. Peabody
	Faneuil Hall, Dock Square, Boston, Mass., ca.1903 Photographer: Henry G. Peabody

The Historic New England Annual Fund

Dear Friends of Historic New England,

Sports history display on view at Otis House Museum

Historic New England invites visitors to the Otis House Museum on Cambridge Street in Boston to view Touchdowns, Trophies, and Toboggans. This small show of sports artifacts and images features the actual football used in a game in 1863 by the Oneida Football Club, the first football club in the United States.

FOR SALE: The Fisher-Bliss House

This historically signficant home, built in 1832, is located at 86 North Water Street, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. It is one of the finest of Edgartown's whaling captains' houses. The property has been preserved and cared for by Historic New England for more than 40 years. Its stately architecture and widow's walk are unparalleled. The interior is in excellent condition with historic paneling, staircases, flooring and moldings. Historic New England is requiring preservation restrictions on the property to ensure it remains historically correct and is protected. The grounds are complemented by a large brick driveway, a spacious yard, and a wonderful original carriage house. For more information on the Fisher-Bliss House, contact Conover Real Estate, LandVest, 19 South Summer Street, P.O. Box 5067, Edgartown, MA 02539, 508-627-3757, or visit the Conover/Landvest website.

FOR SALE: The Holley-Williams House, Lakeville, Conn.

Currently listed on the market, the Holley-Williams House in Lakeville, Connecticut, is a wonderful opportunity to own a historically significant New England property. The original portion of the house dates to c. 1768 and was known as "Furnace Hall," built for the local ironmaster. The larger 1808 wing was constructed by John Milton Holley, whose descendants occupied the house until 1971, when Margaret Holley Williams left the Holley-Williams House and its contents to The Salisbury Association. The house, which sits on a hilly 4.75 acre lot that once overlooked the iron blast furnace, remains mostly unchanged since the 1808 addition was constructed, and retains its original character, making it an important example of the Federal and Classical Revival styles of architecture, materials and workmanship in the state of Connecticut. In recognition of these qualities, the Holley-Williams House has been listed as a contributing structure in the Lakeville Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in the areas of Industry, Transportation, Commerce and Architecture. Alexander Hamilton Holley, who grew up in the Holley-Williams House, founded the Holley Manufacturing Company in 1844 and later served as governor of the state in the late 1850s. The preservation restrictions held by Historic New England serve to protect the historically important features of the Holley-Williams House and its associated outbuildings, as well as significant landscape elements. The listing brokers are:

FOR SALE: Bleakhouse, Peterborough, N.H.

Bleakhouse offers a unique opportunity to own and care for a significant piece of New England's nineteenth-century past. Constructed ca. 1796 by John White, Bleakhouse was purchased by Dr. Nathaniel Holmes Morison in the 1850s. Bleakhouse retains much of its original character and is an important example of transitional Georgian and Federal style architecture, materials and workmanship in the state of New Hampshire. Bleakhouse comprises a two-and-a-half story main house with an attched two-story ell, and a connector which leads to the barn. Totaling approximately 1.3 acres, the surrounding landscape of gardens, lawns and mature trees serves as a rich complement to the historic house.

Historic New England, presented by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities

On June 1, 2004, Historic New England became the public identity for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA). By expanding its membership program, creating family-friendly activities, enhancing its tour offerings, and personalizing visitor services, Historic New England is defining how history museums can thrive in the twenty-first century.

Internship Opportunities

Historic New England offers internships to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in American studies, American history, museum studies, arts administration, preservation studies, art and architectural history, library science, and related fields. Interns have the opportunity to work with Historic New England's extraordinary and rich collection of historic structures and landscapes, archival collections of photographs, architectural drawings, and ephemera, and material culture collections. Internship opportunities are also available to students interested in marketing, public relations, and development in the non-profit sector.

Employment Opportunities

Position: Curator
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Collection & Conservation Center - Haverhill, MA
Description: This position works as part of the curatorial and collection management sections of the collection services team acquiring, developing and refining the artifactual collection according to Historic New England policies and procedures. Formulates and implements exhibit improvements and furnishing plans at the historic houses. Participates in Historic New England programs and shares knowledge and promotes collections through publications and lectures. Works with the exhibitions team in the development and implementation of regional and national traveling exhibitions.
Responsibilities: Works with collection services team to develop Historic New England’s collection by researching, evaluating and pursuing acquisitions through gift, purchase and loan and refines collection through judicious deaccessioning of non-relevant objects after examination and research. Provides curatorial support on documenting and cataloguing the collections. Keeps abreast of the market through journals and auction catalogues to be aware of objects that relate to Historic New England’s properties and collection interests. Reviews proposals prepared by conservators and conservation fellows, and works in concert with them on the conservation and stabilization of objects in the collection. Participates in and serves as a resource for the Proactive Preservation and Interpretation Program (PPIP) in planning and implementing the restoration and interpretation of the house museums. Works with the exhibition committee in identifying, developing, and implementing temporary exhibitions to highlight the artifact and archival collections to support the institutional vision. Works with grant specialist to develop and write collection and exhibition related grants. Serves as the one of the public faces of the collection services team at programs, building visibility, support and participation. Regularly writes articles and news briefs for Historic New England publications, presents public programs and represents the organization in activities in the curatorial and museum community and before the general public.
Qualifications: Requires a master’s degree in history, art history, material culture and knowledge of American and European decorative arts, along with a minimum of eight years job-related experience. Requires experience working with historic house museums and a familiarity with New England domestic life. Requires enthusiasm for engaging experts and the public in collection activities at Historic New England, through cooperation with partners internally and externally to reach, engage and serve wide audiences. Ability to interact and communicate with staff orally and in writing is essential. Must be a skilled public speaker.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or Mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE

Position: Executive Assistant to the President
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Otis House – Boston, MA
Description: This position is as confidential administrative assistant to the President/CEO of Historic New England, also supporting the Vice President/COO, board of trustees, advisory council and board committees.
Responsibilities: Provides administrative support in a fast-paced, high-productivity environment where priorities shift often. Requires excellent personal initiative, strong knowledge and understanding of office and meeting procedures, and excellent experience with calendar and schedule management. Requires outstanding attention to detail, strong oral and written communication abilities, fully-competent computer skills in Word and Excel with Raiser's Edge ability preferred, ability to take and prepare minutes in standardized formats, ability to keep work flowing steadily whether the president is present or away, and dedication to meeting multiple deadlines. The successful candidate will be a person who receives satisfaction from a job done correctly and well, who is dedicated to timeliness, efficiency and accuracy, and willing to be the key support person for a busy executive in a growing and changing organization.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and minimum 5 years experience in administrative support to a senior executive, preferably in a non-profit environment, including experience working with a board of trustees. Precise in document preparation, formatting and grammar. Fully competent computer skills. Ability to multi-task yet meet all deadlines with accuracy and consistency of work products. Ability to work in a fast-paced high-volume demanding environment, and to maintain work flow whether the executive is present or absent. Competency with Raiser's Edge is preferred; willingness to learn the program is required. Note: An employee in the work unit is allergic to most fragrances. The employee in this position may not use perfume/cologne in any amount on work days, and should be cautious concerning residual fragrance on clothes, and in ensuring that fragrance-bearing products are avoided to the extent possible.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE

Position: Preservation Project Manager
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Lyman Estate - Waltham, MA
Description: The Preservation Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of preservation projects at the museum properties of Historic New England. the Historic New England property collection spans four centuries and five New England States and comprises 15 National Historic Landmark sites and 28 National Register sites. The Preservation Project Manager will work as part of the property care team to complete projects as assigned. Historic New England has been a leader in establishing preservation philosophy, standards and methods, and continues to provide models of historic preservation for preservation professionals, organizations and the public. The Preservation Project Manager is the keeper of the Historic New England philosophy as it is applied to the assigned projects. The Preservation Project Manager is responsible for project scope development, creation and dissemination of bid documents, coordination with contractors and staff, weekly status reports and project documentation, completion reports and other paperwork. The total number of projects assigned will be determined by project scope, workload considerations and the requirements of funding. The Preservation Project Manager is responsible for coordinating their work within the property care team and also with other Historic New England teams. This includes working closely with preservation managers, collection staff and historic site managers who oversee day-to-day operation of the properties.
Responsibilities: Become familiar with Historic New England’s preservation philosophy and the procedures and requirements of project management established by Historic New England and the granting agencies. Familiarize oneself with site history and history of repairs at project site. Develop treatment plans for proposed projects. Coordinate as necessary with architect/engineer for creation of specifications for the project items. Draft bid documents for all project components and coordinate bid process and bid review. Coordinate with all necessary teams in regards to scope of the project and impact of the project with tenants, staff, the landscape, building and collections, and the public. Oversee projects, including status meetings with the site manager, preservation manager and team leader for property care. Produce written documents including weekly written status reports, written minutes from contractor meetings, project reports and a completion report for each project to conform to property care standards and the standards of the funding agencies. Produce, label and properly store photographs documenting all phases of the project to conform to property care standards and the standards of the granting agencies. Manage paperwork required for granting agencies and ensure timely compliance with all requirements. Write internal documents, articles and makes public presentations related to Historic New England property care and projects and develops outreach programs on preservation issues. Serve on task forces and committees as assigned, both specific to expertise and in support of organizational priorities. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Requires a bachelor's degree in historic perservation, architecture, engineering, or conservation and a minimum of 4 years job-related experience; or a master's degree and at least one year of experience (preferred). This position is full time (40 hours per week) with a partially grant funded term of three years.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE

Position: Development Specialist
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Otis House – Boston, MA
Description: The Development Specialist manages database functions, including gift processing, updating donor information, and creating queries and reports on fund raising progress, and assists with Historic New England development activities.
Responsibilities: Responsible for timely processing of all payments, including promptly and accurately entering information into the database, producing and mailing gift acknowledgment letters, and developing status reports. Updates information in database for all constituencies including prospect research, address changes,etc. Performs queries and develops reports as assigned. Supports planned giving through execution of quarterly payments. Updates Historic New England information on external resources. Meets with the business office monthly to reconcile databases. Supports cultivation and recognition events. Assists with mailings and file maintenance.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required. Ability to interact and communicate orally and in writing is essential. Must be able to operate effectively in a team environment, where communication within and among teams is essential to success. Requires fully competent computer skills including skilled use of word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheet functions. Experience with Raiser's Edge preferred. Ability to create reports and query databases for research is essential. Must be detail-oriented and able to multi-task and work well under schedule and deadline pressures. A driver's license and ability to drive are required.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE

Position: Membership Manager
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Otis House – Boston, MA
Description: The Membership Manager works closely with membership team members and staff throughout Historic New England to ensure efficient and effective day-to-day operations of Historic New England's growing membership program This includes planning and implementing member acquisition and retention efforts, members-only programs and services, and membership communications.
Responsibilities: Implements new member acquisitions, working closely with staff throughout Historic New England. Implements retention initiatives and measures results from special members-only programs and events, including Members' Month, day and overnight trips, and other offerings. Coordinates delivery of all member benefits, including those to specialty groups such as Garden & Landscape members. Implements and tracks membership renewals, including distribution of renewal notices, weekly acknowledgment of membership gifts, mailing of membership materials, and implementation of new approaches to the renewal efforts. Updates and maintains member database, including tracking of interest areas. Plans, produces, and distributes special member commuunications. Plans and attends member events as assigned.
Qualifications: Requires a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience. Requires advanced word processing, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet skills, and Raiser's Edge database management skills. Excellent writing skills and interpersonal communication skills required for responding to questions and concerns, and regular interaction with key constituents. Valid driver's license required.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or Mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE

Position: Administrative Officer/Human Resources Manager
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Otis House Museum – Boston, MA
Description: Reporting to the chief financial officer, this individual works as part of the business services team to provide a variety of financial, administrative and human resources services. Primary responsibility is serving as the personnel liaison between management and employees and staff reference persons on personnel requirements, policies, procedures and issues. Serves as lead staff person on questions of compensation and benefits management. Assists with general administrative work including some financial analysis and administrative projects as assigned.
Responsibilities: Performs administrative tasks to ensure the effective operation of the organization. Coordinates recruitment for permanent and seasonal staff. Researches and evaluates selection criteria. Works with managers to select and rank applicants. Develops or approves interview questions and selection matrix. Ensures EEO compliance and coordinates diversity recruiting efforts. Prepares and places position advertisements and postings. Checks references and makes job offers. Operates orientation programs for new employees. Coordinates organization-wide staff meetings, employee recognition program, and other programs as assigned. Manages Historic New England’s compensation program. Works with managers to develop job descriptions, including education and experience requirements. Determines salary band level for each position. Conducts and participates in surveys to analyze wages, pay practices, and other forms of compensation. Tracks and reports on the job vacancy rate. Develops and maintains up-to-date personnel manuals, forms and files. Stays current and keeps Historic New England current with all federal and state personnel law and requirements. Coordinates the performance management program ensuring that annual objectives are set and competencies are evaluated. Coaches and counsels managers in addressing employee performance issues. Manages the employee benefits programs, (including health, retirement, PTO, etc.) assists senior management in evaluating and selecting vendors, completes all necessary reporting, and serves as the primary contact with benefit vendors. Continually researches benefit options and makes recommendation for changes to the program for cost control and benefit enhancement. Administers COBRA. Responds accurately and timely to questions from management and employees to resolve or avoid personnel issues and/or problems. Advises staff and management on matters of grievance handling and discipline. Recommends, plans, develops and implements employee development/training programs. Coordinates and maintains workers’ compensation plans and unemployment claims. Collects and maintains information and completes reports. Maintains OSHA compliance and prepares OSHA reporting. Serves as Privacy Officer for Historic New England regarding all HIPAA issues. Keeps informed of changes to HIPAA requirements and keeps Historic New England in compliance. Performs administrative and financial analysis projects as assigned. Undertakes special administrative projects as assigned by the CFO or president. Ensures efficient operation of support activities for administrative office, including supervision of Receptionist and Custodian.
Qualifications: This position requires an efficient administrator with diverse business skills, and full knowledge of HR practices. Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 6 years as a human resources generalist or administrative position with full human resources responsibilities, at least 3 years at a manager level. Experience in an organization with 100 or more full- and part-time employees with exposure to diverse personnel needs and issues preferred. Some background in accounting required. Requires word processing, spreadsheet, report writing, and oral and written presentation skills. Very strong project management skills required with ability to multi-task and to work both independently and as part of a team. Accuracy and ability to maintain strict confidentiality are essential. The position requires periodic travel to locations throughout New England, a valid driver's license and ability to drive is required.
Applications: Please send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE