Job Description

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website,  . 

Posting Information:

Salary: $59,500 - $76,500 

New hires are typically placed between Tier I and Tier III within the range, $59,500 - $69,700  

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt 

Job Location Type: Onsite 

Location: Harvard & Concord, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: 

As the Associate Curator, you will bring collections and exhibitions experience with an innovative and engaging vision to the curation and interpretation of the historic houses and historic collections within the Metrowest region (primarily Fruitlands Museum and the Old Manse).

About Fruitlands and The Old Manse 

Located in Harvard, Massachusetts, Fruitlands Museum sits on 210 acres of land, including four historic and gallery buildings and a visitors’ center. The original 90 acres of land were purchased in 1843 by Charles Lane and Bronson Alcott with the intention of creating a Transcendentalist experiment. Ultimately, the community disbanded after only seven months, but left a lasting cultural impact exemplified in works by Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and other transcendentalist figures. 

In 1914 the property was purchased by Clara Endicott Sears, who established a museum in the 1820s farmhouse, the only building original to the property. Today, the farmhouse is designated as a National Historic Landmark, and the entire campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The collections at Fruitlands Museum encompass objects and archives relating to19th century portraits, Hudson River School landscapes, the Shakers, Native American culture, Americana, and archeology. 

Built in 1770, the Old Manse, A National Historic Landmark, sits on the banks of the Concord River overlooking the North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts, where the first battle of the American Revolution took place. The Georgian clapboard house was built for patriot minister William Emerson and was later home to Ralph Waldo Emerson, who drafted his influential essay “Nature” in the house, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Today a variety of tours are offered, each focused on one of the multi-disciplinary histories of the Old Manse and its occupants. The Old Manse is often described as the home to two revolutions for its leading role in the American Revolution and the Transcendentalist Movement.

The Role:

As the Associate Curator, you will create installations and exhibitions that are fresh, original, welcoming, and educational, and assist with related public programming. This position is highly collaborative and works closely with regional and state-wide teams, including Historic Collections, Stewardship, Exhibitions, and Engagement, among others. Together with colleagues, the Associate Curator plans conservation, preservation, and restoration projects, at the object, room, and building level. Beyond scholarly and conservation work, the Associate Curator develops public engagement that inspires and provokes visitors to broaden their horizons through interactive experiences guided by a clear and compelling interpretative story. The Curator will have expertise in 18th to 20th century Material Culture and American History, with a background in the New England region as well as special interests in land, environment, and place. 

Specifically, you’ll: 

• ​​Provide scholarly and creative support for collections and historic houses. This work takes place in various forms including the creation of historical installations, publications, furnishing plans, presentations, public programs and tours, and exhibitions. Works collaboratively with Art & Exhibitions team, Historic Collections, regional stewardship and engagement teams. Represent The Trustees externally as a speaker at conferences and workshops and creates and maintains partnerships through regional, national and international networks. 

• ​Curate exhibitions of historic collections exploring historical, social, and environmental themes. This includes working on exhibition elements from design concept, authorship, installation efforts, conservation needs, programming, and public relations. Work with and direct the work of exhibit designers and installers. All in collaboration with the Arts & Exhibitions and Historic Collections teams.

• ​Oversee conservation efforts. Support conservation, restoration, and preservation efforts of collections objects, as well as historic interiors and exteriors. Work closely with consultants on preparation, reporting and outreach of conservation projects in close collaboration with the Historic Collections team. Provide insight into preservation restrictions and sensitive issues surrounding this work. Daily collection management includes hands-on stewardship; cleaning and collections of care, climate, light level, and pest expertise; and preventative work to ensure the collection is protected for the next generation.   

• ​Support collections management system updates related to Fruitlands and Old Manse related objects. Join with the Historic Collections team, regional Curators and the Arts & Exhibition Registrar in efforts to bring all Trustees collections and archives into the Trustees Collections Management System Qi. 

• ​Act as a liaison with curatorial staff, volunteers, and consultants. Act as the voice of the collection within the region and where it intersects with statewide projects.  

• ​Provide advocacy for the historic collections. This may include grant writing and budgeting relating to collections and historic houses at Fruitlands Museum and the Old Manse. Support Development staff with donor relations and the Cultural Resources Committee.

Additional functions may include potential grant-funded initiatives or other assignments as needed. Position may include oversight of interns, collaboration with fellows, and long-term planning for care and conservation of Fruitlands Museum and The Old Manse.​  

Physical Requirements: 

• This job includes physical work, including but not limited to, the movement of collection objects; working in a variety of historic houses and historic buildings; and conducting preventative care regarding environmental conditions and pest management in those spaces. On-site work constitutes approximately 50% of the time.  

• This position requires driving between and working at a diversity of historic sites.  

This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week reporting directly to the Museum Director and Chief Curator, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. 

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience: 

• Advanced degree in material culture, American history or decorative arts, ideally with expertise in the New England region.   

• 5+ years of experience with a record of curatorial achievement. An employment history that shows experiences with collections scholarship, management, engagement, and planning. Experience with historic houses and interiors is a plus.   

• Collections database experience and a strong understanding of museum and archives standards.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of collection care, project management, and preventative care. Some experience with fundraising, grants, and their administration. Ability to lead conservation projects at object, room, and site level.   

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the organization including staff, volunteers, donors, trustees, and diverse public constituencies.   

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and community members.  

• Demonstrated skills in problem-solving and strategic analysis and planning.   

• Strength in written communications and scholarly work.   

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at  people@thetrustees.org  

Benefits

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 15 days per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Enjoy access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions for Trustees Staff, Volunteers and Interns. 

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property. 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property. 

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here:  Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity . 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at  people@thetrustees.org . 

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