When: June 2 - August 9, 2003 (and a summer and fall course session, lasting June 2 - November 30
Who: Mount Vernon Historical Society
Description: George Washington's Mount Vernon announces paid internships in historical archaeology during summer and fall 2003. A 10-week program, June 2 - August 9, 2003, is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who have had field training in archaeology, while a 6-month track, June 2 - November 30, is designed for recent graduates seeking additional field work in historical archaeology and interpretation. Mount Vernon's internships offer an opportunity for intensive archaeological fieldwork in a research-oriented setting with a strong emphasis on direct interaction with museum visitors. Mount Vernon is a historic site museum located near Washington DC. Its mission is to interpret the life of the first president within the context of his home and plantation. In April 2002 Mount Vernon completed a renovation of Washington's reconstructed 1771 gristmill. This working mill serves as the focal point of a seven-acre exhibit which interprets George Washington's entrepreneurial endeavors. A research project to study Washington's 1797 whiskey distillery began in 1999. Constructed adjacent to the plantation gristmill, the distillery provided another product for Mount Vernon's rye and corn. The distillery, a 75 x 30-foot stone building, housed five copper pot stills producing over 11,000 gallons of whiskey in a year. Though large and productive, the operation was short-lived and the building was dismantled by 1815. Over the course of four summers, archaeological excavations exposed strata related to the stone distillery. In 2003 fieldwork will focus on these distilling features including excavation of the building's foundation, drainage system, and heat sources. Interns will participate as members of the archaeological field crew excavating distillery-related features and interpreting the site for the public. Field experience will be augmented by lectures, discussions, readings and writing assignments on topics relevant to Chesapeake archaeology and history, distilling history, historic preservation, and public archaeology. Trips to area sites will also be taken. Applicants should be in good physical condition and should be aware that the internship primarily involves long hours of digging in hot, humid, and dirty conditions. Participants will receive a competitive stipend and assistance in securing local housing. The internships are funded by a grant from the Distilled Spirits Council of the U. S.
Contact: Please send applications to Esther White, Historic Mount Vernon, P.O. Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, ewhite@mountvernon.org Fax: 703) 799-5222.
To Apply: To apply, submit a resume with two references, and cover letter, including a statement detailing interest in this program, and specifying the preferred track (10 week or 6 month). Deadline is April 4, 2003. Selection will be made by April 18.
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