Employment, Volunteer & Intern Opportunities
Employment
Director of Development
The Maine Historical Society seeks a leader to manage all phases of its fundraising activity, including major, corporate and foundation gifts, annual giving, special events, grant writing, planned giving, donor cultivation, campaign planning, marketing, public relations and communications. Working closely with the Executive Director, Trustees and managing a staff of two, the successful candidate will help shape the continued growth of a nationally-recognized, statewide cultural institution. Founded in 1822, MHS is located in downtown Portland, Maine, and consists of the Brown Research Library, the MHS Museum, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House; and the Maine Memory Network (a collaborative online museum), among other programs and services.
Qualifications should include: superior personal and communication skills; five plus years of comparable development responsibility; a record of major gift fund-raising and grant writing accomplishment; Raiser’s Edge (or comparable) database experience; demonstrable interest in history and education; and a willingness to meet the challenges of the cultural sector. Highly self motivated and directed. Send letter, resume, and list of four references to: Steve Bromage, Executive Director, Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101. EOE. Electronic submissions should be sent to lwebb@mainehistory.org. Applications close June 15. No phone inquiries, please.
Volunteer Opportunities
Various volunteer opportunities are available at the Maine Historical Society, where over one hundred people contribute their talents to assist in fulfilling the Society's mission.
***All Summer Volunteer and Internship positions have been filled. Applications for Fall positions may be submitted after July 15th. Thank you for your interest.***
Volunteers assist in the Brown Research Library, the Wadsworth–Longfellow House, the historic Garden, Museum Gallery, Maine Memory Network, Educational Department, Administration and Development, and Building and Grounds. Board and Committee members are an important part of our volunteer team.
Currently, volunteer positions are available in the Brown Research Library only, and extended on a first come, first serve basis. The Museum, Maine Memory Network and Administrative Departments are not accepting volunteer applications at this time. Those interested in volunteering with the Wadsworth-Longfellow House or in aspects related to education are encouraged to apply to the Portland's History Docents Program (see below).
All volunteer jobs will take place at the Society's Campus located at 485–489 Congress Street in Portland and during regular business hours. Daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal or occasional commitments may be arranged.
Brown Research Library
Volunteer duties available in the Research Library include processing collections, cataloging, data entry, indexing, inventorying collections, and conducting general historical and genealogical research.
Digital Projects Department
Volunteer duties available in Maine Memory Network, a statewide repository of digital source documents, include digital reproduction (scanning and photography), transcription, research, and cataloging. Training is provided.
Education Department
Opportunities within the education department include assisting with on- and offsite school, family, and public programs. Depending on experience and interest, volunteers may contribute their time to program materials preparation and organization, to record-keeping and program evaluation, or to overseeing workshops and activities in the museum gallery and interacting with the large number of school and public visitors to MHS. Training is provided. Additionally, assistance with managing and supporting volunteer docents for the Wadsworth-Longfellow house is welcome.
Wadsworth-Longfellow House
For opportunities in the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, see section below on Portland's History Docents Program.
Click here for the online application form.
Or send a resume and cover letter to:
Volunteer Program
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
Internships
Library and Digital Projects Internships
Internships for high school, college and graduate students are available in the Brown Research Library and the Digital Projects department. Internships are defined as supervised practical training for a specified amount of time or number of hours. All internships are unpaid. Projects will vary according to individual needs and goals of the student and MHS. Traditionally, internships are offered in the fall, spring or summer but other arrangements may be available.
Internships for college credit are available; however it is the responsibility of the applicant to make prior arrangements with their educational institution. Prospective interns should be advised that space is limited and positions are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are interested in an internship with the Maine Historical Society, please fill out this online application form.
Or mail a resume and cover letter to:
Internship Program
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
New England Regional Fellowship Consortium
Maine Historical Society is a member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium.
This collaboration of 18 major research libraries in New England includes the six state historical societies and five special collections libraries at Harvard, among others. It awards $5,000 stipends to up to 12 serious researchers to support a minimum of eight weeks' work in three or more of the member libraries, stressing research with original primary documents.
Please see the NERCF website for more information and application information.
Portland's History Docents Program
Portland's History Docents Program (PHD) is a collaborative effort by Greater Portland Landmarks, The Maine Historical Society, Tate House Museum, Victoria Mansion, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum, and Evergreen and Eastern Cemeteries. Each February, these eight organizations join forces to provide a twelve-week training program for new volunteer guides at each organization's respective museum site. PHD graduates are asked to commit to a year of volunteer time at one of the eight sponsoring sites. In return they receive knowledge, experience, and friendships that will last a lifetime! PHD graduates who volunteer with MHS give tours of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House and conduct the Old Port Walking Tour; they also have the opportunity to volunteer in other aspects of MHS operations. To sign up for the next PHD Program, contact Marjorie Getz, the Coordinator of Portland's History Docents Program, 207-774-5561 ext. 120 or Bridget McCormick, Education Coordinator at Maine Historical Society, 207-774-1822 x212 or bmccormick@mainehistory.org