Historic Deerfield Seeks Director of Academic Programs

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.

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.

Learn more on the AFS Career Center.