2025 Buchanan Burnham Summer Scholars in Public History Program
Application Deadline: Complete applications must be received by March 17, 2025
Description: Join a team of students, scholars, and museum professionals studying and promoting the diverse and dynamic history of Newport, RI. Fellows have access to the Newport Historical Society’s (NHS) internationally important manuscript and artifact collections; engage with the public through leading tours and program participation; and put theory into practice by participating in the daily operations of NHS. Training is provided.
2025 Fellows are invited to propose a research project that focuses on Newport’s role in the American Revolution and early Federal period; the 1778 Franco-American alliance; Black history; or a project that engages with the NHS collections. Fellows will also have the opportunity to work on ongoing NHS collections cataloging and inventory initiatives.
Eligibility:Rising undergraduate seniors, graduate students, or recent graduates [last 12 months] who are interested in pursuing a career in, or with a background in, museum collections, archives, American History. Students preparing to apply to a graduate program are also eligible.
NHS has the right of first refusal on any publication resulting from research produced during the fellowship. Fellows accepted into the program must provide proof of vaccination from COVID-19. NHS is an equal opportunity employer. The facilities of the NHS are not universally handicapped accessible; applicants with accessibility questions should contact the NHS for more information, ipeters@NewportHistory.org.
Schedule: May 27 – August 8. The weekly schedule will be finalized after a candidate is selected; expect to work approximately 30 hrs./week.
Benefits: $6000 stipend, paid in equal installments every other week, applicable federal and state taxes will be withheld.
Housing: May be available to successful applicants, fixed fees to be deducted from stipend. Details available upon request.
To Apply: Send a resume, copies of transcript(s) (including both undergraduate & graduate transcripts), two letters of recommendation, and a letter stating your reasons for applying, your career goals, your area of interest or a proposed topic for an individual project to ipeters@NewportHistory.org.
Fellowship Selection Process: Admission to the fellowship program is competitive; candidates are selected by a committee of local scholars and NHS staff. Enthusiasm for history, historic artifacts, and public history is required. Experience studying early America, giving tours, conducting historical research, or teaching is preferred. The NHS will invite leading candidates for telephone interviews in late March; the NHS will notify successful candidates by early April.