Director of Academic Programs

JOB SUMMARY

Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, Massachusetts, seeks a dynamic, collaborative scholar/teacher to serve as its
next Director of Academic Programs. The Director of Academic Programs functions as Historic Deerfield’s
public historian and is responsible for the development and implementation of a robust series of annual
programs for the general public and academic audiences, field-based education at the college and graduate
levels, and shared curation of the museum’s research plan. The Director of Academic Programs utilizes HD’s
museum and library collections, architecture, and landscape to develop programs in American history and
material culture with a focus on Deerfield and the Connecticut River Valley. The Director of Academic
Programs actively participates in the life of the museum, pursues research, and develops collegial relationships
with college faculty, including fostering HD’s affiliation with Five Colleges, Inc., and museum staff at other
institutions. Teaching duties include an annual undergraduate seminar in New England material culture
through Smith College (with an appointment as Lecturer in American Studies) and directing HD’s Summer
Fellowship Program in American History and Material Culture for college juniors and seniors. In all this
work, Deerfield’s unparalleled primary documentary collections in agricultural, craft, economic, family, and
educational histories will be a crucial resource.

Historic Deerfield is committed to diversifying the stories it tells about the Connecticut River Valley and has
established a number of new programs, including an Anti-Slavery Ceramics project, the Witness Stones
project honoring the humanity of enslaved persons in Deerfield, and the Encountering Pocumtuck Walking
Tour App making indigenous history visible. Working with the museum’s Department of Education and
Interpretation, the Director of Academic Programs will expand upon this work, creating additional layers of
programming and conceiving of new projects to highlight all communities who once resided in Deerfield
region in its pre- and post-colonial periods. A demonstrated commitment to building diversity in all aspects
of museum practice (and in HD’s own programs) is crucial for this position.

A Ph.D. in a relevant humanistic field (e.g. History, Art or Architectural History, American Studies, African
American Studies, Native American Studies, Archaeology, Landscape Studies, Anthropology) and 3-5 years of
experience working in a museum or academic institution are required. This is a full-time position, and
benefits include health, dental, vision, and retirement plans, as well as generous paid holiday, vacation, and
sick time. This position has an estimated starting salary range of $55,000-$65,000.

The position reports to the Senior Vice President. To apply: please submit a cover letter, CV, and the names
of three references to Betsy McKee, Assistant to the President, jobs@historic-deerfield.org. Review of
applications will begin on July 5, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

CORE DUTIES

Specific responsibilities include work in four main areas: Research, Teaching, Public Programs, and
Administration. 

Oversees the development and implementation of a variety of annual educational events (symposia,

seminars, and lecture series); participates in the development of specialized fora and workshops;

designs new public programs, in person and virtual, for broad audiences including digital content
(web pages, mobile apps, data bases, and other electronic formats).


Collaborates with other staff on exhibit development and related public programming; works actively

with the Department of Museum Education and Interpretation, including presentations for the
general public, professional development for educators, and the Museum’s guides’ training programs.


Teaches an undergraduate seminar in New England material culture and history offered annually in
the spring to Five College students through the Smith College Program in American Studies.


Directs the Historic Deerfield Summer Fellowship Program in American History and Material
Culture, a nine-week course of independent study and museum apprenticeship for advanced
undergraduates.


Oversees College Field Visits Program tailored to course requirements of college and graduate classes
and internship programs. Designs and supervises undergraduate and graduate student internships;
coordinates and assists independent study, from
undergraduate term papers to doctoral dissertations, in the HD museum and library collections.


Collaborates with other HD staff, especially the Director of Interpretation and Curatorial
Department Director, in the development and implementation of long-term research programs in the
museum and library collections; assists in planning and implementing innovative historic house
installations and an overall interpretive master plan, including collaborating to develop content for
mobile apps and other digital offerings with a focus on foregrounding communities and people
marginalized in traditional historical narratives.


Leads in developing collaborative programs with other institutions to promote research on Deerfield
and the Connecticut Valley.


Develops grant applications that support academic and programmatic goals. 

Develops and administers scholarly conferences including the annual Historic Deerfield/Wellesley

College Symposium on American Culture and the Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife.


Represents Historic Deerfield in the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium. 

Budget preparation and narrative reporting on academic programs and the Summer Fellowship

Program. 

Performance of other tasks as required and requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Ph.D. in relevant humanistic discipline. 
3-5 years work in a museum or academic institution. 
Demonstrated experience working with college undergraduates in academic settings; experience

working with graduate students desirable. 
Training and/or affinity for material culture study. 
Demonstrated commitment to building diversity into all aspects of museum practice, teaching, and

mentoring. 

Demonstrated field-based and object-oriented research and teaching proficiency. 
Ability to lead in developing collaborative relationships with external individuals and institutions. 
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
Excellent organizational skills, follow-through, and attention to detail.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Work is performed primarily in an office environment and historic buildings as necessary. 
Regular travel on campus to departments/buildings or to local off-campus locations. 
Weekend and evening work may be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged periods. 
Ability to go up and down stairs with ease.