LHIP Internship: Art History Research Associate (PLC) - ONSITE - Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site

Location: Cambridge, MA,None,None

Start/End Dates: May 26th, 2025 - October 10th, 2025 (20 weeks)
Compensation: $688 per week
Medical Insurance: Not provided
Application Due: February 7, 2025

The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeks to engage undergraduates and recent graduates ages 18 - 30, and up to 35 for veterans, for this unmatched leadership training program that is focused in the cultural and natural resource management. You must be (additional requirement):

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

*No personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

The Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (NHS) museum collection includes over 2,000 works of fine art. This collection comprises paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures dating from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century, gathered over generations by the Longfellow family. Notable Western artists represented include Gilbert Stuart, Albert Bierstadt, Florence Freeman, Eastman Johnson, Lorenzo Bartolini, John Kensett, Anna Klumpke, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, and Winslow Homer.

The site’s archival collections, consisting of personal papers from the Longfellow family, provide valuable context for the fine art collection, with materials such as journal entries documenting the creation or purchase of artworks and family estate papers.

The Art History Research Associate will:

• Conduct research and compile documentation on individual works of art in the museum collection, focusing on provenance, publication and exhibit history, identification of school or style, and artist biographies.

• Prioritize research tasks in collaboration with park staff, targeting exhibited artwork while considering the associate’s expertise and interests.

• Utilize existing catalog records, art history reference works, and archival collections both on-site and at other repositories to conduct research.

The research will support:

• Improving catalog records for individual objects.

• Enhancing park rangers’ ability to interpret exhibited works.

• Assisting external scholars in using the collections.

• Developing future temporary and online exhibits.

The associate will:

• Identify candidates for temporary or online exhibitions.

• Recommend photography needs and digitization priorities for archival material.

• Prepare research findings for use by park staff and external researchers.

• Contribute project updates and behind-the-scenes insights to the park’s social media.

At the conclusion of the internship, the associate will present their findings and final project to park staff.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrated interest or experience in art history or fine arts.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Experience conducting and citing primary-source research.

• Proficiency in data entry, metadata management, and/or using databases in a cultural heritage context.

• Experience or willingness to work in a multicultural environment where diversity and inclusion are core institutional values.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will meet the following criteria:

• Between the ages of 18 and 35.

• Currently enrolled in an accredited academic program or recently graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree.

• In good academic standing.

• Capable of being self-directed and working independently, while also contributing positively as a team member.

• A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.

• Able to pass a Federal background check.

The candidate will also demonstrate:

• Interest or experience in art history or fine arts.

• Strong written and verbal communication ski