The Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS), Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC), and Irondale Ensemble Project (IEP) invite applications for a two year, grant funded position as a public historian to curate and scholar for, In Pursuit of Freedom, which focuses on the history of abolitionism and the Underground Railroad in Brooklyn. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.
Public Historian Position - In Pursuit of Freedom Project
The Historian will serve as curator and scholar for, In Pursuit of Freedom, which focuses on the history of abolitionism and the Underground Railroad in Brooklyn, providing new resources for preserving, interpreting, and advancing public understanding of this chapter in American history. The In Pursuit of Freedom collaboration links three complementary cultural entities: the Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS), Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC), and Irondale Ensemble Project (IEP). Implemented over a two to three year period, In Pursuit of Freedom will create five mutually-reinforcing components designed to help the public explore Brooklyn's historic role in the fight against slavery and the effort to fulfill America's promise of liberty and freedom: 1) Interpretive exhibitions at the Brooklyn Historical Society, Weeksville Heritage Center, and the Irondale Center at Lafayette Avenue Church. 2) Historic Site markers. 3) The development and presentation of an original theater piece. 4) An Educational Curriculum and 5) a web site that will connect all of the components. To this end, the historian will synthesize information for all aspects of the project, and coordinate the content, taking responsibility as follows: Conduct original research in archives around the city, Work in close coordination with the project team, Communicate about research regularly through oral presentations and written reports, organize meetings with Scholarly advisory board, provide a curatorial voice in the development of interpretive plan for exhibitions, working with project team and designers, write and review exhibition text and texts for website and historical markers We seek a candidate with Ph.D. in history (or public history) with a focus on NYC history, abolitionism and the Underground Railroad, knowledge of and experience in creating public history projects in a timely fashion, excellent interpersonal, written, organizational and oral skills and the ability to carry out multiple and diverse tasks concurrently. Interviews will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. For more information, please visit www.brooklynhistory.org Please send curriculum vitae, a cover letter and writing sample to kfermoile@brooklynhistory.org No phone calls.
