Summer Internship Opportunity
The McFaddin-Ward House, an AAM accredited historic house museum in Beaumont, Texas, is offering a paid summer internship in its collections and education department. Built 1905-1906, the Beaux-Arts Colonial mansion was the home of Mamie McFaddin Ward, who left the house as a historic house museum in 1982. The museum, which opened in 1986, ranges over three city blocks and includes the main house, a carriage house, a visitor center, an administrative office, and a collections office building.
Position Summary:
The intern will gain experience in all areas of a historic house museum and will spend hands-on time in collections, archives, education, and public relations.
Duties May Include:
Collections management: Organizing, cataloging and digitizing archives and photographs, research, data management, storage upgrades for museum collection, object photography, environmental monitoring, taking inventory.
Interpretation/ Education:
Assist with Summer Camp and junior interpreter training. Investigate and develop onsite and outreach programming for other groups. Inventory and organize teaching collection.
Public Relations:
Assist with marketing and promotion of museum activities, including press releases, social media, blogging, and media appearances.
Qualifications:
Applicant must have a strong interest in archives and museum collections, as well as in interpretation and education, and must be capable of precise and detail-oriented work. Knowledge of proper museum artifact handling and computer literacy are required. A bachelor’s degree, or coursework, training, or equivalent experience in museums studies, museum education, history, art history or art education is preferred. Interns must provide their own housing and their own transportation.
Employment Period:
Ten (10) weeks at 40 hours per week, with a $2,900 stipend (taxes will be withheld). Flexible work dates between May and September. Office staff is willing to assist with necessary paperwork for interns to obtain course credit.
How to apply:
Submit a cover letter and current resume, including the contact information of three references, by mail, email, or FAX to:
McFaddin-Ward House
725 Third Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
P: (409) 832-1906
F: (409) 832-3483
Email: jlinsley@mcfaddin-ward.org
Museum Docents (Volunteer Opportunity)
DESCRIPTION:
The McFaddin-Ward House, an AAM accredited historic house museum in Beaumont, Texas, is looking for volunteer docents. Built 1905-1906, the Beaux-Arts Colonial mansion was the home of Mamie McFaddin Ward, who left the house as a historic house museum in 1982. The museum, which opened in 1986, ranges over three city blocks and includes the main house, a carriage house, a visitor center, an administrative office, and a collections office building.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary responsibility of a docent at the McFaddin-Ward House is to interpret the museum and its collection for the visiting public. Through thorough training, docents are equipped to provide a variety of tour experiences for all audiences. Most often, docents offer an individualized guided tour for the general public. The museum also trains docents to give tours structured for specific audiences, such as school children.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, have an interest in history and decorative arts, and be able to devote time to training and volunteering. Ideal docents will have a strong desire to share knowledge with the public, a sincere willingness to learn and study, and a pleasant and positive attitude. The position requires a moderate level of mobility and stamina to be able to negotiate stairs and the distance to the museum and carriage house.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit a letter of interest to Volunteer Coordinator, Becky Fertitta by mail, fax, or email.
McFaddin-Ward House
725 Third Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
P: (409) 832-2134
F: (409) 832-3483
Email: bfertitta@mcfaddin-ward.org
Junior Interpreters (Volunteer Opportunity)
DESCRIPTION:
The McFaddin-Ward House, an AAM accredited historic house museum in Beaumont, Texas, is looking for junior interpreters. The junior interpreter program began in 1996 under the direction of the museum’s education department. The program inspires teenagers be lifelong consumers of culture and museum advocates. Through service to the museum, junior interpreters (JIs) learn life and leadership skills, including communication, historical research, and customer service.
Built 1905-1906, the Beaux-Arts Colonial mansion was the home of Mamie McFaddin Ward, who left the house as a historic house museum in 1982. The museum, which opened in 1986, ranges over three city blocks and includes the main house, a carriage house, a visitor center, an administrative office, and a collections office building.
POSITION SUMMARY:
JIs are trained to give guided tours of the three floors of the main house. They attend training sessions during the summer. Training involves printed material, lectures, slide shows, videos, and other activities provided by the McFaddin-Ward House staff. For completion of the program, JI1s are required complete the JI Application, attend all five training sessions (or complete a make-up session) and give a practice tour to a staff member. JIs must be available to give tours on JI Guide Days throughout the year and assist museum staff with other programming the museum offers.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be 13—18 years of age, have an interest in history, and be able to devote time to training and volunteering. Ideal JIs will have a strong desire to share knowledge with the public, a sincere willingness to learn and study, and a pleasant and positive attitude. JIs must be able to attend the entire training course, and commit to several JI Guide Days throughout the year. JI training takes place each June.
HOW TO APPLY:
For more details or to apply for Junior Interpreter training, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Becky Fertitta.
McFaddin-Ward House
725 Third Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
P: (409) 832-2134
F: (409) 832-3483
Email: bfertitta@mcfaddin-ward.org
