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What's New at Historic New England...
View Pilgrims, Patriots and Products in Provincetown
Historic New England's exhibition, Pilgrims, Patriots and Products: Selling the Colonial Image, is on view at the Pilgrm Monument and Provincetown Museum in Provincetown, Massachusetts, through November 30. This entertaining and thought-provoking exhibition examines how advertisers have used romanticized imagery about America's past to sell commercial products.
"It's Colonial and You Can Have It," was the pitch made to American consumers by countless manufacturers and advertisers following the celebration of the country's centennial in 1876. Not only could they have it, they could sit on it, sleep on it, eat it, drink it, wash with it, and even wear it. Drawn largely from Historic New England's Library and Archvies, Pilgrims, Patriots and Products includes reproductions of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century product catalogs, trade cards, advertisements, calendars, and posters, as well as other objects that depict a fanciful interpretation of colonial and patriotic imagery.
Click here for more information and directions to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum.
Get your questions answered by the Old House Maintenance Advisor
For a limited trial period, Historic New England is offereing a new service for members at the household level and up - the Old House Maintenance Advisor. For a fee of $50, the Old House Maintenance Advisor offers household members personalized responses to technical questions on a range of old house maintenance issues, such as:
- energy conservation
- wood, slate, or asphalt roofing installation, care, and maintenance
- window repair
- flooring treatment, including sanding and/or finishing historic floors
- plaster repair or adhesion
- pest or insect infestation and treatment
- identification of interior decorative features such as tile, hardware, woodwork, or lighting, and locating replacements or replicas
For more information and to sign up for the program, contact the membership team at membership@historicnewengland.org or call 617-227-3957, ext. 264.
Not a member? JOIN TODAY and access the Old House Maintenance Advisor and so much more.
Historic house tenant
Historic New England seeks a tenant(s) for Cox Cottage, a historic house in Salem, Massachusetts. The tenant pays $925 rent per month, plus gas heat, hot water, electric, phone, and cable utilities. Tenant is resopnsible for limited security and property care duties. The two-story apartment has a full kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, one full bathroom, washer and dryer, as well as the use of a basement for household items. Off the street parking for one car is included. Pets are not allowed. A full background check is required for all candidates. For more information, please call 978-744-0440.
The Historic New England Annual Fund
Dear Friends of Historic New England,
Your generous support of Historic New England's Annual Fund makes it possible for families, visitors and scholars to enjoy New England heritage brought to life today, and ensures that our rich historical resources are preserved for future generations. We ask that you consider an Annual Fund gift to further our efforts in preserving and interpreting New England heritage for an ever-broadening audience. Gifts may be made by calling the Development Office at 617-227-3957, ext. 267; by mail to: Historic New England Annual Fund, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114; or by using our convenient and secure online form. With your help, our New England history will never grow old. Thank you for your support.
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 Wallace & Co., Sotheby's International Realty, 1 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2005, Edgartown, MA 02539, 508-627-3313, or visit the Wallace & Co. website.
FOR SALE: Marble Farm, Sutton, Mass.
Marble Farm, a National Register property, provides a unique opportunity to own and care for a nearly unchanged piece of New England's eighteenth-century past. Appearing much as it did historically, Marble Farm comprises a late eighteenth-century farmhouse, barn and outbuildings. The one-and-a-half story farmhouse features a hardwood timber frame and fieldstone foundation, and is a good example of rural constructions, techniques and tastes. At the interior, many original design elements survive unaltered, including raised panel doors, split-lath plaster, plank doors, wide pine floors, and vertical board partitions. Fifty-six acres of open land surround the farmhouse and provide an undisturbed setting that complements the farmhouse and woodlands, fields and meadows, with stone walls, a colonial road and cemetery, and remnants of an Indian encampment and hand-dug well.
The preservation restrictions held by Historic New England serve to protect the historically important features of Marble Farm, both for their aesthetic value and as irreplaceable artifacts of the craftsmanship of eighteenth-century New England.
For more information, click here or contact:
FOR SALE: Griffin Farm, Caribou, Maine
The Griffin Farm in Caribou, Maine, has recently been listed on the market for sale. The Griffin family cultivated and harvested potatoes on the property from the mid-nineteenth century through 1988, when the farm was sold out of the family. Historically, a series of connected farm buildings existed on the property. Today, the farmhouse consists of a two-and-one-half story ca. 1912 main house with a two-story rear ell and a late-nineteenth century two-story "pickers' shack" wing. A free-standing barn was constructed in the early 1990s based on historic images of an earlier, larger barn.
The farmhouse retains its original character and is an important example of early twentieth century Queen Anne style architecture, materials and workmanship in the state of Maine. The current owners have meticulously repaired and restored both the interior and exterior of the farmhouse, which had suffered years of deferred maintenance. Additionally, this property's one hundred acres of open space retains its rural characteristics and consists of expansive hilltop fields, forest, and gardens. Preservation restrictions held and administered by Historic New England protect the important historic interior, exterior, and landscape features of this special property.
For more information, contact Real Estate Broker Lehrle Keiffer, RE/MAX Central, 101 High Street, Caribou, Maine 04736; 207-551-9258.
FOR SALE: General Phelps House, North Colebrook, Conn.
The General Phelps House offers a unique opportunity to own and care for a significant piece of New England's disappearing rural past. This special property has been owned and occupied by members of the Phelps family and their descendants since it was constructed over 175 years ago. In 1982, the family's commitment to the property led them to donate perpetual preservation restrictions on the General Phelps House to Historic New England.
Constructed in 1832 by Arah Phelps for his son, Edward, and daughter-in-law, the General Phelps House retains its original character and is an important example of Greek Revival period architecture, workmanship, and materials in the state of Connecticut. In recognition of these qualities, the house has been listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The house comprises an east-facing, three-bay, two-and-one-half story main block, a two-and-one-half story ell attached to the main block's south elevation, a one-and-one-half story rear ell, and a one-and-one half story ell attached to the north elevation of the rear ell. At the interior, many original and early architectural elements survive unaltered, including plaster, woodwork, hardware, and the main stairway. The property also includes a protected creamery, pig pen, barn and modern garage. Over twelve acres of open land surround the General Phelps House, providing a natural setting that consists of fields, forests, and garden areas. Preservation and conservation restrictions also protect adjacent properties, ensuring that the General Phelps House's scenic environment will endure.
For more information, click here or contact Heidi Picard-Ramsay at William Raveis Real Estate, at Heidi@RealEstateWithHeidi.com, 860-307-0039.
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:
Robinson Leech Real Estate
318 Main Street
Lakeville, CT 06039
860-435-9891
www.robinleechrealestate.com
John Harney Associates
7 Academy Street
Salisbury, CT 06068
860-435-4600
www.harneyassoc.com
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.
Preservation restrictions held by Historic New England protect the historically important exterior features of Bleakhouse, both for their aesthetic value and as irreplaceable artifacts of the craftsmanship of nineteenth-century New England.
For more information, please contact Norman A. Langevin, Despres and Associates, at 603-532-8742.
Where to view decorative interior tiles
The fall issue of Historic New England magazine features "Style in Tile," a colorful article by Team Leader, Collections Services Julie Solz on decorative interior tiles. You can find wonderful tile examples at these Historic New England properties:
Barrett House, New Ipswich, N.H.
Eighteenth-century Dutch and eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English, delft-style, and transfer printed tiles
Coffin House, Newbury, Mass.
Eighteenth-century Dutch tiles
Codman Estate, Lincoln, Mass.
Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English transfer-printed and encaustic tiles
Sarah Orne Jewett House, South Berwick, Me.
Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Dutch and English tiles
Lyman Estate, Waltham, Mass.
Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Dutch and English delft-style, and Arts and Crafts tiles
Phillips House, Salem, Mass.
Nineteenth-century American Arts and Crafts tiles
Roseland Cottage, Woodstock, Conn.
Nineteenth-century American or English Arts and Crafts tiles
Quincy House, Quincy, Mass.
Eighteenth-century English delft-style and transfer printed tiles
Don't receive Historic New England magazine? Become a member today and receive the magazine plus many more benefits.
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.
The display highlights sports photographs and ephemera from Historic New England's Library and Archives, depicting football, baseball, and summer and winter sports. It also touches on the growth and organization of athletic activities in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries -- how games that were once played informally in the streets gradually developed into club, collegiate, and eventually professional sports; the influence of women becoming more engaged in athletic activities in the late 1800s; and the rise in the early twentieth century of organized youth sports and programs aimed at teaching physical and moral discipline and socialization. As New Englanders increasingly engaged in sports and become fervent spectators, sports became the important part of New England life that they are today.
Touchdowns, Trophies, and Toboggans is on display at the Otis House Museum Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Historic New England President and CEO elected chair of American Association of Museums
At its annual meeting in Denver on April 30, the American Association of Museums (AAM) installed Historic New England President and CEO Carl R. Nold as newly-elected chair of the association board of directors, for the term 2008-2010.
The 102-year-old AAM represents more than 15,000 museums of all types and devotes itself to gathering and sharing knowledge on issues of concern to the profession, developing standards and best practices, and advocacy work. The AAM officers are a chair, vice chair and immediate past chair. Together with 18 at-large board members they govern the organization and represent museum professionals from institutions diverse in type, size, and geographic location.
AAM is responsible for the nationwide program which accredits museums that fully meet professional standards, for an annual professional meeting that is the largest gathering of museum professionals in the world with more than 5,000 attendees, and for the new "Center on the Future of Museums."
Nold says, "Serving as a volunteer leader at AAM is really about helping museums nationwide enhance the work they do to serve communities. From leadership development and professional training, to advocacy work in Washington and with foundations, AAM seeks to strengthen the ability of museums to contribute to education and quality of life nationwide. I am pleased to undertake the chairmanship at a time when museums are so strongly focused on serving the public with excellence."
Nold has been president of Historic New England since April 2003. He served a a member of the AAM board of directors since 2003 and as vice chair for the 2007-2008 term. As chair of AAM, Nold also serves ex officio as chair of the U.S. Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-US). Nold has a long record of service to the museum profession, having been a board member or officer of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest museum associations and the Virginia and Michigan state museum associations, in addition to service with the national group through its accreditation and museum assessment program.
Prior to joining Historic New England, Nold served as director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, in Michigan, one of the most-visited systems of history museums in the nation, and of State Museum of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg. He was director/curator of Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria, Virginia, and registrar/grants officer of the New York State Historical Association and its Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. Nold holds a Master of History Museum Studies degree from the State University of New York, Cooperstown Graduate Program, and a Bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education from St. John's University, New York.
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.
SPNEA changed its long-standing public name to better reflect a renewed commitment to its mission of serving the public by preserving and presenting New England’s heritage for today’s audiences. Along with the name change, the organization launched a new brand identity, including a revised logo and a tag line: "Defining the past. Shaping the future." The name change and tag line focus on expanding audiences by inviting more people to experience, in an authentic and personal way, the lives and stories of the individuals and families who made New England what it is today.
Historic New England President and CEO Carl R. Nold stated, “SPNEA has been an innovator since its earliest days, responsive to the needs of constituents and quick to develop new methods and new programs that set national standards. Some of its most respected programs were the result of a willingness to try new ideas. We are proud of what SPNEA contributes to New England life, and will ensure that those accomplishments and high standards continue to be part of the work of Historic New England.”
The Historic New England name better reflects the organization’s regional scope and offerings in five key program areas – historic properties, collections, archives and publications, educational programs, and preservation services. Building on SPNEA's success, Historic New England still offers many ways to experience the lives and stories of New Englanders, including access to thirty-six properties across the region that span a range of time periods and architectural styles, traveling exhibitions of New England treasures, an archive of over one million items, educational programs and events that use history to reach adults and students, and a tradition of partnership with owners of historic properties.
About Historic New England
Historic New England, presented by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional preservation organization in the country. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the lives and stories of New Englanders through their homes and possessions.
More about Historic New England
Historic New England offers five distinct yet interrelated program areas:
• Historic Properties - Thirty-six house museums and landscapes spanning four centuries of architectural styles and five New England states. This is the most comprehensive collection of homes and properties in New England, with a uniquely thorough and authentic approach to presenting the stories of those who lived here. Visitors experience, in a real and personal way, the lives and stories of the individuals and families who made New England what it is today. Offerings at the historic properties include house and landscape tours, adult and family programs, special events, museums shops, function rentals at select properties, and Historic New England membership.
• Collections - An extraordinarily broad collection of more than 100,000 objects of historical and aesthetic significance, family heirlooms presented in their original context, and accessible through the extensive study collection. This is the largest assemblage of New England art and artifacts in the country. The collection helps people understand the heritage of New England through the possessions of those who lived here, and appreciate the ingenuity, craftsmanship and style of the region. Historic New England uses its collections to mount exhibitions that travel regionally and nationally. Collections are also on view at the Historic New England properties.
• Archives and Publications - More than one million items that document New England’s architectural and cultural history. The archival collections include photographs, prints and engravings, architectural drawings, books, manuscripts, and ephemera. This is a premier source for researchers, history buffs, and everyone who loves New England. Archives users can personally access a wealth of information on the people and events that defined the history of New England. Information is also shared through Historic New England magazine, books and catalogues published by Historic New England, and at www.HistoricNewEngland.org.
• Educational Programs - A series of nationally recognized school and youth programs that use historic resources to reinforce and enrich student learning. The programs are fun, multi-disciplinary, and suited to a variety of learning styles. They allow young people to learn through a range of approaches and include hands-on activities, role-playing, and cooperative learning. Children discover the entertaining side of history – the stories and people who have made their communities what they are today. They learn how, by understanding our shared past, we build a better future. Historic New England offers museum field trips, Programs to Go! (in the classroom), out-of-school-time programs, and educators’ resources.
• Preservation Services - A program built on partnership between property owners and Historic New England, with a shared goal of protecting the unique character of historic properties through the region. As one of the first preservation easement programs in the country, Historic New England’s Stewardship Program is the model on which many other programs are based. Homeowners can let Historic New England experts show them how to preserve their historic properties and communities for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations.
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.
Internships are unpaid, but may be completed for course credit. To receive application materials, contact Jennifer Pustz, museum historian, jpustz@historicnewengland.org.
Historic New England is a museum of cultural history which collects and preserves buildings, landscapes, and objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present and uses them to keep history alive and to help people develop a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England life and appreciation for its preservation.
Employment Opportunities
POSITION: Data Enterer (Curatorial)
Classification: Temporary/Part-Time
Location: Haverhill, Mass.
Description: This position works as part of the collections services team working on a grant-funded collections access project. The data entry staff will enter catalogue records into the new collections management database system and undertake digitization of collections. This is a temporary non-exempt 24-month position from date of employment and subject to available project funding. A minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 40 hours per week are required. This position requires regular travel between the Haverhill location and the main Boston office.
Responsibilities: Data entry of cataloguing cards, worksheets and other sources of information in the new collections access database. Assist with digitization of collections by undertaking new digital photography, scanning photographic material including slides, transparencies, and black and white prints. Assemble and organize existing photographic material for scanning by external vendors. Ensure use of standardized vocabulary that follows approved procedures and nomenclature. Generate reports from database and answer general collection inquiries.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree in history, art history, or material culture required. Previous experience in data entry, Microsoft, Excell, PowerPoint, Access, and Adobe Photoshop is a must. Experience working in a museum and with library databases preferred but not required. Requires ability to work well in a team environment and independently to ensure projects are completed.
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: Data Enterer (Library & Archives)
Classification: Temporary/Part-Time
Location: Boston, Mass.
Description: This position works as part of the collections services team working on a grant-funded collections access project. The data entry staff will enter catalogue records into the new collections management database system and undertake digitization of collections. This is a temporary non-exempt 24-month position from date of employment and subject to available project funding. A minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 40 hours per week are required. This position requires regular travel between the Boston location and Haverhill, Mass., facility.
Responsibilities: Data entry of cataloguing cards, worksheets and other sources of information in the new collections access database. Assist with digitization of collections by undertaking new digital photography, scanning photographic material including slides, transparencies, glass plate negatives, and black and white prints. Assemble and organize existing photographic material for scanning by external vendors. Ensure use of standardized vocabulary that follows approved procedures and nomenclature. Generate reports from database and answer general collection inquiries.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree in history, art history, or material culture required. Previous experience in data entry, Microsoft, Excell, PowerPoint, Access, and Adobe Photoshop is a must. Experience working in a museum and with library databases preferred but not required. Requires ability to work well in a team environment and independently to ensure projects are completed.
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: Archivist
Classification: Temporary/Part-Time
Location: Otis House, Boston, Mass.
Description: Responsible for the preservation and physical and intellectual accessibility of archival and library holdings, including extensive collections of photographs, architectural drawings, prints and engravings, ephemera, manuscripts, books, and the institutional archives of Historic New England. This is a temporary, part-time, 16-24 hr/week position lasting 5-7 months.
Responsibilities: Provides reference services for the library and archival holdings for staff and the public. Appraises, arranges, and describes archival collections. Creates electronic catalogue records for books, transparencies, serials, manuscript collections, photographs, ephemera, architectural drawings, and other holdings utilizing the new collections management system. Learns the full scope of the collections management system, works on conversion of existing electronic records to the system, and creates new records for the system. Organizes, maintains, and provides access to Historic New England's institutional archives. Scans photographs and other holdings for internal and external use.
Qualifications: Requires ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science, history, architectural history, or art history, and 2+ years job-related experience. Also requires experience arranging and describing manuscript/archival collections; strong technical skills; a familiarity and some experience with SGML and EAD coding; an ability to work comfortably with a variety of databases; an ability to work in a fast-paced environment; and experience/ability dealing with the public. The employee is required to lift up to 40 pounds.
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
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