Job Opportunities

The Brooklyn Historical Society, located in Brooklyn Heights, NY, is a museum, library and education center dedicated to encouraging the exploration and appreciation of Brooklyn's rich heritage. BHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering excellent working conditions in a collaborative environment.

Historian – In Pursuit of Freedom Project

Two year, Grant-funded position

Job Description:

The Historian will serve as curator and lead history scholar for a project called 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 dramatic and significant 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) A commemorative installation by a commissioned artist in Willoughby Square Park  2) Interpretive exhibitions at the Brooklyn Historical Society, Weeksville Heritage Center, and the Irondale Center at Lafayette Avenue Church, providing opportunities to go deeper by exploring historical images and rich archives of primary documents. 3) The development and presentation of an original theater piece that will draw upon the story of abolition in Brooklyn.  4) An Educational Curriculum, and 5) a web site that will connect all of the components: introduce the walking tour; preview the interpretive installations; and reinforce educational curriculum. The site will provide a downloadable tour map of relevant sites throughout the Borough as well as accompanying podcasts, so that visitors can explore the Borough through the historic lens of abolitionism and the Underground Railroad.   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 including but not limited to: Brooklyn Historical Society and various Brooklyn churches, the Schomberg Center and other research collections.
• Work in close coordination with project archivists, and the entire project team, which included other historians, archivists, educators, exhibit designers, community and stake-holders.
• Communicate about research regularly through oral presentations and written reports.
• Organize meetings periodically with Scholarly advisory board.
• Give guidance and input on the development of the school curriculum.
• Provide a curatorial voice in the development of interpretive plan for exhibitions, working with project team and designers.
• Write exhibition text and texts for website and historical markers
• Review scripts for exhibition, website and theater program

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in history (or public history)  with a focus on NYC history, abolitionism and the Underground Railroad
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience in creating public history projects in a timely fashion
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral skills
• Ability to carry out multiple and diverse tasks concurrently
• Strong organizational skills

Position reports to the Vice President for Exhibits and Education at the Brooklyn Historical Society and works in close collaboration with a team of historians and partner staff members.

Please send curriculum vitae, a cover letter and writing sample to kfermoile@brooklynhistory.org No phone calls, please.

Compensation:
$45,000 to $50,000 depending on experience, with benefits. There is some flexibility in schedule. Grant funded, for two years.
Start date: Immediate

The Brooklyn Historical Society is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of any mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

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