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What's New at Historic New England...
Historic New England protects Modern property in Lincoln, Massachusetts
The Hoover House in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is the latest privately owned historic property protected through preservation easements in the Stewardship Program at Historic New England.
The twentieth-century Modern house was Henry B. Hoover's first independent residential architectural project. Built in 1937 as his family home, it is one of the several houses Hoover designed in the Lincoln area and is a wonderful example of his practice of integrating architecture and the surrounding landscape.
By finalizing the preservation easements and forming a partnership with Historic New England, Hoover's children have ensured that the historic and architectural features of this Modern house, including later alterations also designed by Hoover, are protected premanently. The easements held by Historic New England are tailored to preserve Hoover's aesthetic vision and also serve as a model for protecting other Modern homes across New England for future generations.
The Hoover House is the seventy-fourth property protected by Historic New England using preservation restrictions, and the fifty-fourth property in Massachusetts. Other properties in the state are located on Cape Cod and the South Shore, the North Shore, downtown Boston, and Western and Central Massachusetts.
About the Stewardship Program
The Stewardship Program administers preservation restrictions and conservation restrictions held by Historic New England on privately owned historic properties across New England. The program is a partnership between the property owner and Historic New England with the shared goal of preserving a property's historic character. By donating preservation restrictions, the owner entrusts Historic New England with the responsibility of working with present and future owners to protect important historic elements from alteration or neglect. For information about the Stewardship Program, please call Joseph Cornish at 781-891-4882, ext. 228, or click here.
Historic New England awarded prestigious Save America's Treasures grant
On December 13, 2007, Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry and Congressman John Tierney jointly announced that Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, in Gloucester, Mass., was awarded a $500,000 Save America's Treasues grant from the National Park Service. This award, which must be matched 100 percent with local private donations, will fund critical preservation work to mitigate moisture-related deterioration at the eclectic showpiece of one of America's first professional interior designers, Henry Davis Sleeper.
Preservation work will restore the structural integrity of the foundation and supporting walls, secure the exterior envelope, and conserve and rehabilitate the windows, thereby preventing future moisture penetration and precluding damage to the historic fabric and collections. The visitor experience will be greatly enhanced as these efforts will facilitate ongoing conservation of the expansive collection. Visitors and residents will continue to appreciate the unique contribution that Sleeper made to American material culture through his architecture and interior design.
Of the 340 applicants to the highly competitive Save America's Treasures program, the grant to Beauport was one of only thirty-one awarded nationwide, and one of only four to receive funding at the highest level of $500,000.
If you would like to make a matching contribution to the Save America's Treasures grant, please contact Development@HistoricNewEngland.org or call 617-227-3957, ext. 250.
Historic photographs from the Historic New England collections now available!
All prints are made from high-resolution scans of historic images from our collections and are produced in black and white on matte, high quality paper. Prints have not been edited to correct imperfections in the original photograph, but may be corrected for brightness or contrast. Mats are a neutral off-white color, are of conservation quality, and sized to fit standard frames.
If you are interested in purchasing these images or others not shown, please contact the Library and Archives at photoorders@historicnewengland.org or at 1-617-227-3957 ext. 271.
A larger selection of images will be available through the website in fall 2007.
All images are intended for private non-commercial use. Orders take two weeks to process, and there are additional charges for shipping and handling.
| Prices: |
| Size |
Unmatted |
Matted |
| 8 x 10” |
$40.00 |
$48.00 |
| 11 x 14” |
$55.00 |
$65.00 |
| 16 x 20” |
$95.00 |
$110.00 |
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Members receive a 10% discount!
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Wreck of the Minnie C., Nantucket, Mass., ca. 1897
Photographer: Baldwin Coolidge
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Swan Boat, Public Garden, Boston, Mass., ca. 1883
Photographer: Baldwin Coolidge
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The Red Sox Ball Club, Fenway Park, 1912
Postcard
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Marshes, Newburyport, Mass., ca. 1885
Photographer: Emma Lewis Coleman
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Coleman Family Portrait, Cottage City, Mass., 1887
Photographer: John N. Chamberlain
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White Island Light, Isles of Shoals, N.H., ca. 1905
Photographer: Henry G. Peabody
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Faneuil Hall, Dock Square, Boston, Mass., ca.1903
Photographer: Henry G. Peabody
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The Historic New England Annual Fund
Dear Friends of Historic New England,
Your generous support of Historic New England's Annual Fund makes it possible for families, visitors and scholars to enjoy New England heritage brought to life today, and ensures that our rich historical resources are preserved for future generations. We ask that you consider an Annual Fund gift to further our efforts in preserving and interpreting New England heritage for an ever-broadening audience. Gifts may be made by calling the Development Office at 617-227-3957, ext. 250; by mail to: Historic New England Annual Fund, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114; or by using our convenient and secure online form. With your help, our New England history will never grow old. Thank you for your support.
Sports history display on view at Otis House Museum
Historic New England invites visitors to the Otis House Museum on Cambridge Street in Boston to view Touchdowns, Trophies, and Toboggans. This small show of sports artifacts and images features the actual football used in a game in 1863 by the Oneida Football Club, the first football club in the United States.
The display highlights sports photographs and ephemera from Historic New England's Library and Archives, depicting football, baseball, and summer and winter sports. It also touches on the growth and organization of athletic activities in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries -- how games that were once played informally in the streets gradually developed into club, collegiate, and eventually professional sports; the influence of women becoming more engaged in athletic activities in the late 1800s; and the rise in the early twentieth century of organized youth sports and programs aimed at teaching physical and moral discipline and socialization. As New Englanders increasingly engaged in sports and become fervent spectators, sports became the important part of New England life that they are today.
Touchdowns, Trophies, and Toboggans is on display at the Otis House Museum Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Historic New England President and CEO elected chair of American Association of Museums
At its annual meeting in Denver on April 30, the American Association of Museums (AAM) installed Historic New England President and CEO Carl R. Nold as newly-elected chair of the association board of directors, for the term 2008-2010.
The 102-year-old AAM represents more than 15,000 museums of all types and devotes itself to gathering and sharing knowledge on issues of concern to the profession, developing standards and best practices, and advocacy work. The AAM officers are a chair, vice chair and immediate past chair. Together with 18 at-large board members they govern the organization and represent museum professionals from institutions diverse in type, size, and geographic location.
AAM is responsible for the nationwide program which accredits museums that fully meet professional standards, for an annual professional meeting that is the largest gathering of museum professionals in the world with more than 5,000 attendees, and for the new "Center on the Future of Museums."
Nold says, "Serving as a volunteer leader at AAM is really about helping museums nationwide enhance the work they do to serve communities. From leadership development and professional training, to advocacy work in Washington and with foundations, AAM seeks to strengthen the ability of museums to contribute to education and quality of life nationwide. I am pleased to undertake the chairmanship at a time when museums are so strongly focused on serving the public with excellence."
Nold has been president of Historic New England since April 2003. He served a a member of the AAM board of directors since 2003 and as vice chair for the 2007-2008 term. As chair of AAM, Nold also serves ex officio as chair of the U.S. Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-US). Nold has a long record of service to the museum profession, having been a board member or officer of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest museum associations and the Virginia and Michigan state museum associations, in addition to service with the national group through its accreditation and museum assessment program.
Prior to joining Historic New England, Nold served as director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, in Michigan, one of the most-visited systems of history museums in the nation, and of State Museum of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg. He was director/curator of Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria, Virginia, and registrar/grants officer of the New York State Historical Association and its Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown. Nold holds a Master of History Museum Studies degree from the State University of New York, Cooperstown Graduate Program, and a Bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education from St. John's University, New York.
FOR SALE: The Fisher-Bliss House
This historically signficant home, built in 1832, is located at 86 North Water Street, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. It is one of the finest of Edgartown's whaling captains' houses. The property has been preserved and cared for by Historic New England for more than 40 years. Its stately architecture and widow's walk are unparalleled. The interior is in excellent condition with historic paneling, staircases, flooring and moldings. Historic New England is requiring preservation restrictions on the property to ensure it remains historically correct and is protected. The grounds are complemented by a large brick driveway, a spacious yard, and a wonderful original carriage house. For more information on the Fisher-Bliss House, contact Wallace & Co., Sotheby's International Realty, 1 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2005, Edgartown, MA 02539, 508-627-3313, or visit the Wallace & Co. website.
FOR SALE: General Phelps House, North Colebrook, Conn.
The General Phelps House offers a unique opportunity to own and care for a significant piece of New England's disappearing rural past. This special property has been owned and occupied by members of the Phelps family and their descendants since it was constructed over 175 years ago. In 1982, the family's commitment to the property led them to donate perpetual preservation restrictions on the General Phelps House to Historic New England.
Constructed in 1832 by Arah Phelps for his son, Edward, and daughter-in-law, the General Phelps House retains its original character and is an important example of Greek Revival period architecture, workmanship, and materials in the state of Connecticut. In recognition of these qualities, the house has been listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The house comprises an east-facing, three-bay, two-and-one-half story main block, a two-and-one-half story ell attached to the main block's south elevation, a one-and-one-half story rear ell, and a one-and-one half story ell attached to the north elevation of the rear ell. At the interior, many original and early architectural elements survive unaltered, including plaster, woodwork, hardware, and the main stairway. The property also includes a protected creamery, pig pen, barn and modern garage. Over twelve acres of open land surround the General Phelps House, providing a natural setting that consists of fields, forests, and garden areas. Preservation and conservation restrictions also protect adjacent properties, ensuring that the General Phelps House's scenic environment will endure.
For more information, visit www.betsylittle.com.
FOR SALE: The Holley-Williams House, Lakeville, Conn.
Currently listed on the market, the Holley-Williams House in Lakeville, Connecticut, is a wonderful opportunity to own a historically significant New England property. The original portion of the house dates to c. 1768 and was known as "Furnace Hall," built for the local ironmaster. The larger 1808 wing was constructed by John Milton Holley, whose descendants occupied the house until 1971, when Margaret Holley Williams left the Holley-Williams House and its contents to The Salisbury Association. The house, which sits on a hilly 4.75 acre lot that once overlooked the iron blast furnace, remains mostly unchanged since the 1808 addition was constructed, and retains its original character, making it an important example of the Federal and Classical Revival styles of architecture, materials and workmanship in the state of Connecticut. In recognition of these qualities, the Holley-Williams House has been listed as a contributing structure in the Lakeville Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in the areas of Industry, Transportation, Commerce and Architecture. Alexander Hamilton Holley, who grew up in the Holley-Williams House, founded the Holley Manufacturing Company in 1844 and later served as governor of the state in the late 1850s. The preservation restrictions held by Historic New England serve to protect the historically important features of the Holley-Williams House and its associated outbuildings, as well as significant landscape elements. The listing brokers are:
Robinson Leech Real Estate
318 Main Street
Lakeville, CT 06039
860-435-9891
www.robinleechrealestate.com
John Harney Associates
7 Academy Street
Salisbury, CT 06068
860-435-4600
www.harneyassoc.com
FOR SALE: Bleakhouse, Peterborough, N.H.
Bleakhouse offers a unique opportunity to own and care for a significant piece of New England's nineteenth-century past. Constructed ca. 1796 by John White, Bleakhouse was purchased by Dr. Nathaniel Holmes Morison in the 1850s. Bleakhouse retains much of its original character and is an important example of transitional Georgian and Federal style architecture, materials and workmanship in the state of New Hampshire. Bleakhouse comprises a two-and-a-half story main house with an attched two-story ell, and a connector which leads to the barn. Totaling approximately 1.3 acres, the surrounding landscape of gardens, lawns and mature trees serves as a rich complement to the historic house.
Preservation restrictions held by Historic New England protect the historically important exterior features of Bleakhouse, both for their aesthetic value and as irreplaceable artifacts of the craftsmanship of nineteenth-century New England.
For more information, please contact Norman A. Langevin, Despres and Associates, at 603-532-8742.
Historic New England, presented by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities
On June 1, 2004, Historic New England became the public identity for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA). By expanding its membership program, creating family-friendly activities, enhancing its tour offerings, and personalizing visitor services, Historic New England is defining how history museums can thrive in the twenty-first century.
SPNEA changed its long-standing public name to better reflect a renewed commitment to its mission of serving the public by preserving and presenting New England’s heritage for today’s audiences. Along with the name change, the organization launched a new brand identity, including a revised logo and a tag line: "Defining the past. Shaping the future." The name change and tag line focus on expanding audiences by inviting more people to experience, in an authentic and personal way, the lives and stories of the individuals and families who made New England what it is today.
Historic New England President and CEO Carl R. Nold stated, “SPNEA has been an innovator since its earliest days, responsive to the needs of constituents and quick to develop new methods and new programs that set national standards. Some of its most respected programs were the result of a willingness to try new ideas. We are proud of what SPNEA contributes to New England life, and will ensure that those accomplishments and high standards continue to be part of the work of Historic New England.”
The Historic New England name better reflects the organization’s regional scope and offerings in five key program areas – historic properties, collections, archives and publications, educational programs, and preservation services. Building on SPNEA's success, Historic New England still offers many ways to experience the lives and stories of New Englanders, including access to thirty-six properties across the region that span a range of time periods and architectural styles, traveling exhibitions of New England treasures, an archive of over one million items, educational programs and events that use history to reach adults and students, and a tradition of partnership with owners of historic properties.
About Historic New England
Historic New England, presented by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional preservation organization in the country. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the lives and stories of New Englanders through their homes and possessions.
More about Historic New England
Historic New England offers five distinct yet interrelated program areas:
• Historic Properties - Thirty-six house museums and landscapes spanning four centuries of architectural styles and five New England states. This is the most comprehensive collection of homes and properties in New England, with a uniquely thorough and authentic approach to presenting the stories of those who lived here. Visitors experience, in a real and personal way, the lives and stories of the individuals and families who made New England what it is today. Offerings at the historic properties include house and landscape tours, adult and family programs, special events, museums shops, function rentals at select properties, and Historic New England membership.
• Collections - An extraordinarily broad collection of more than 100,000 objects of historical and aesthetic significance, family heirlooms presented in their original context, and accessible through the extensive study collection. This is the largest assemblage of New England art and artifacts in the country. The collection helps people understand the heritage of New England through the possessions of those who lived here, and appreciate the ingenuity, craftsmanship and style of the region. Historic New England uses its collections to mount exhibitions that travel regionally and nationally. Collections are also on view at the Historic New England properties.
• Archives and Publications - More than one million items that document New England’s architectural and cultural history. The archival collections include photographs, prints and engravings, architectural drawings, books, manuscripts, and ephemera. This is a premier source for researchers, history buffs, and everyone who loves New England. Archives users can personally access a wealth of information on the people and events that defined the history of New England. Information is also shared through Historic New England magazine, books and catalogues published by Historic New England, and at www.HistoricNewEngland.org.
• Educational Programs - A series of nationally recognized school and youth programs that use historic resources to reinforce and enrich student learning. The programs are fun, multi-disciplinary, and suited to a variety of learning styles. They allow young people to learn through a range of approaches and include hands-on activities, role-playing, and cooperative learning. Children discover the entertaining side of history – the stories and people who have made their communities what they are today. They learn how, by understanding our shared past, we build a better future. Historic New England offers museum field trips, Programs to Go! (in the classroom), out-of-school-time programs, and educators’ resources.
• Preservation Services - A program built on partnership between property owners and Historic New England, with a shared goal of protecting the unique character of historic properties through the region. As one of the first preservation easement programs in the country, Historic New England’s Stewardship Program is the model on which many other programs are based. Homeowners can let Historic New England experts show them how to preserve their historic properties and communities for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations.
Internship Opportunities
Historic New England offers internships to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in American studies, American history, museum studies, arts administration, preservation studies, art and architectural history, library science, and related fields. Interns have the opportunity to work with Historic New England's extraordinary and rich collection of historic structures and landscapes, archival collections of photographs, architectural drawings, and ephemera, and material culture collections. Internship opportunities are also available to students interested in marketing, public relations, and development in the non-profit sector.
Internships are unpaid, but may be completed for course credit. To receive application materials, contact Jennifer Pustz, museum historian, jpustz@historicnewengland.org.
Historic New England is a museum of cultural history which collects and preserves buildings, landscapes, and objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present and uses them to keep history alive and to help people develop a deeper understanding and enjoyment of New England life and appreciation for its preservation.
Employment Opportunities
Position: Vice President of Advancement
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Otis House, Boston, Mass.
Description: Historic New England is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. Under the leadership of President Carl Nold and a distinguished board of trustees, Historic New England has established a vision of being the best heritage organization in America, and has made significant progress toward fulfilling that vision.
Responsibilities: Historic New England is seeking a Vice President of Advancement, a newly-created position that is a top-management post, responsible for strategic direction, staffing, administration, management and goal accomplishment through development activities. Reporting to the President, the Vice President of Advancement will be part of the senior management team, and will lead a staff of six development professionals. S/he will design and manage a comprehensive development process for Historic New England, ensuring cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies across all donor groups and meeting annual and long-term development goals. Oversight, planning and implementation of a centennial campaign will be a key responsibility.
Qualifications: A minimum of ten years experience with increasing fund raising responsibilities coupled with the knowledge of a broad spectrum of membership and fund raising activities is required. Historic New England expects to provide a competitive salary, plus an excellent and comprehensive benefits package, to secure the best qualified individual for this position.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to Teresa Ward, Associate Director, Lois L. Lindauer Searches, tward@lllsearches.com
EOE
Position: Curator
Classification: Regular/Full Time
Location: Collection & Conservation Center - Haverhill, MA
Description: This position works as part of the curatorial and collection management sections of the collection services team acquiring, developing and refining the artifactual collection according to Historic New England policies and procedures. Formulates and implements exhibit improvements and furnishing plans at the historic houses. Participates in Historic New England programs and shares knowledge and promotes collections through publications and lectures. Works with the exhibitions team in the development and implementation of regional and national traveling exhibitions.
Responsibilities: Works with collection services team to develop Historic New England’s collection by researching, evaluating and pursuing acquisitions through gift, purchase and loan and refines collection through judicious deaccessioning of non-relevant objects after examination and research. Provides curatorial support on documenting and cataloguing the collections. Keeps abreast of the market through journals and auction catalogues to be aware of objects that relate to Historic New England’s properties and collection interests. Reviews proposals prepared by conservators and conservation fellows, and works in concert with them on the conservation and stabilization of objects in the collection. Participates in and serves as a resource for the Proactive Preservation and Interpretation Program (PPIP) in planning and implementing the restoration and interpretation of the house museums. Works with the exhibition committee in identifying, developing, and implementing temporary exhibitions to highlight the artifact and archival collections to support the institutional vision. Works with grant specialist to develop and write collection and exhibition related grants. Serves as the one of the public faces of the collection services team at programs, building visibility, support and participation. Regularly writes articles and news briefs for Historic New England publications, presents public programs and represents the organization in activities in the curatorial and museum community and before the general public.
Qualifications: Requires a master’s degree in history, art history, material culture and knowledge of American and European decorative arts, along with a minimum of eight years job-related experience. Requires experience working with historic house museums and a familiarity with New England domestic life. Requires enthusiasm for engaging experts and the public in collection activities at Historic New England, through cooperation with partners internally and externally to reach, engage and serve wide audiences. Ability to interact and communicate with staff orally and in writing is essential. Must be a skilled public speaker.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or Mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE
Position: Cataloguer
Classification: Temporary/Full Time
Location: Harrison Gray Otis House, Boston, MA
Description: The cataloguer will work with others on the Collections Access Project team to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. This is a temporary, full-time position lasting 18 months.
Responsibilities: Creates electronic records for un-catalogued archival and book collections. Updates existing electronic and paper catalogue records and prepares them for migration to the collections management system. Ensures that archival documents and books are catalogued using standard library and archival practices and procedures, and in accordance with Historic New England's Library and Archives collections management policy. Works with the Collections Access Project team to develop and implement standardized vocabulary protocols for the collections management system.
Qualifications: Requires a master’s degree in library science with a concentration in archival management, along with a minimum of three years job-related experience. Previous experience cataloguing archival collections and knowledge of Library of Congress Subject Headings, the Getty Art and Architecture Thesaurus, MARC format, AACRII, Encoded Archival Description, and XML is required. Familiarity with conservation practices and collections care for library and archival collections is required. This employee must be able to operate effectively in a team environment, where communication within and among teams is essential to success. This position requires computer skills including database systems, MS Access, word processing, and spreadsheet use. Employee is required to lift up to 30 pounds. A valid drivers license and a personal vehicle are required.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@historicnewengland.org, Fax to (617)227-9204 or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources
EOE
Position: Museum Teacher
Classification: Regular/Part-time (5-20 hours/week)
Location: Pierce House Museum, Dorchester, MA, and Quincy House Museum, Quincy, MA
Description: Historic New England seeks a part-time museum teacher. In a team-teaching atmosphere, museum teachers present programs and classes both at Historic New England house museums and in schools and youth centers in the Greater Boston area. Programs are offered to pre-school and elementary school-aged students and emphasize an interactive, hands-on approach to learning history. The position offers between five and twenty hours of work per week.
Qualifications: A minimum of a B.A. in American history, art, education or relevant field. Experience working with children is required. Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in all responsibilities and activities. Must have a flexible schedule during the week. A valid driver's license is required.
Applications: Please send resume and cover letter to PierceEd@HistoricNewEngland.org or mail to Education Coordinator, Pierce House Museum, 24 Oakton Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122
EOE
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