Rufus Porter Museum Internship Program, Summer 2008

Note: These positions are filled for 2008.

PDF version
Dates: June 1 to October 14, actual dates are flexible
Availability: 2 - 3 interns, 40 hours per week
Posted Date: November 26, 2007
Closing Date: April 1, 2008 (acceptances earlier if suitable applicants are found)
Pay Status: $1500 stipend for 10 weeks
Housing: Provided, vehicle required

The Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center opened in June, 2005 in Bridgton, Maine. It is based in a 1789 Federal style house with Rufus Porter original murals in one room and hallway. The Museum focuses on the achievements of Mr. Porter as an itinerant painter of wall murals and other art, and his scientific achievements as an inventor and founder of the Scientific American magazine in 1845. We also celebrate the art and history of Western Maine in the 1800s.

We have additional exhibit space in downtown Bridgton which houses a separate set of 15 Porter murals, signed and dated 1838 by Rufus Porter and his son, Stephen Twombly Porter. These murals, recovered from the Francis Howe home in Westwood, Massachusetts, are considered to be the premier example of his work.

The summer of 2008 will be active as the Rufus Porter Museum is one of eleven Maine museums participating in the Maine Folk Art Trail. The extensive advertising and opportunity to view some of the best folk art in the country are expected to generate thousands of additional museum visits statewide.

The Museum is seeking from two to three interns this season to assist us in:

  1. Maintaining the Museum operations and Stores in two locations.
  2. Conducting tours of the museum.
  3. Extending the research center of Rufus Porter materials and murals by researching and documenting current owners of homes with Rufus Porter Murals.
  4. Developing educational programs (Power Point) for children and adults.
  5. Developing an acquisition and accessioning procedure using Past Perfect software.
  6. Organization and execution of the Cultural Heritage Series classes July 8 – 12, 2008.
  7. Maintaining historical gardens and landscaping.
  8. Completing a second draft video documentation of Bridgton’s influence on Porter.

In addition each intern will plan and implement a specific project to be established jointly with museum staff prior to the start of the internship. Museum staff will assist the intern in the development of the project based on museum needs.

Our calendar is flexible for each 10-week internship. We are open from June 3rd until October 14th (closed on Sundays and Mondays), from 11 AM to 5:00 PM. Intern hours are from 9-5.

Bridgton is located one hour’s drive northwest from Portland, Maine, and one hour’s drive east from Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We are referred to as the “Lakes Region” as lakes and ponds are found in abundance. Our winter population of 5,000 grows to 50,000 plus in the summer and offers extensive recreation and cultural opportunities.

This internship is for those majoring in or who have a career interest in museum studies, folk art, history, art history, historic preservation or the conservation and restoration of decorative and fine arts. Preference will be given to those with a demonstrated interest in folk art.

How to Apply

Email resume/CV and cover letter stating your reasons for interest and dates of availability to Nancy Smoak, Projects Director at rufusportermuseum@verizon.net.

Please include: