Call for Applications: William L. Thompson Fellowship, Summer 2023

The William L. Thompson Collections Fellowship for Emerging Museum Professionals and Graduate Students is a short-term residential fellowship designed for emerging museum professionals* and graduate students with an interest in a career focusing on collections and material culture within historic house museums. Applicants who are emerging museum professionals are expected to be currently working in a collections-related museum position. Graduate student applicants will typically be completing a degree in art history, American studies, material culture, museum studies, public history, or a related field. Two positions will be funded for the Summer 2023 opportunity, which will take place July 16-21. Fellows will participate in a week-long residency at Millford, CAHPT’s National Historic Landmark property in Sumter County, South Carolina. Considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in North America, Millford contains a significant collection of original furnishings that were commissioned from New York cabinetmakers Duncan Phyfe & Son between 1839 and 1842.

While at Millford, Fellows will work with CAHPT’s Curator & Director of Collections and other members of the foundation’s professional staff on a variety of projects, including the documentation and care of collection objects and planning for a future exhibition. They will also undertake an individual project related to their own professional or research interests utilizing Millford’s significant collection. Additional benefits of the Fellowship will include several workshops, professional mentoring opportunities, and visits to other historic sites in the region.

The Thompson Fellowship includes a stipend of $2,000 as well as financial support to reimburse costs associated with travel to and from Millford and meals during the week. Off-site lodging will be provided. The Thompson Fellowship also provides travel support to attend the Decorative Arts Trust’s Emerging Scholars Colloquium, held during Americana Week in New York City in late January that is co-sponsored by CAHPT.

This fellowship is named in memory of William L. Thompson (1928-2013), the longtime partner of CAHPT’s founder, Richard H. Jenrette. Thompson was instrumental in the restoration, furnishing, and landscaping of each of the CAHPT properties, and he played an important role in building our significant collection of American decorative arts and fine art.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and current CV via email to CAHPT’s Curator & Director of Collections, Grant Quertermous: [email protected]

The deadline for application is June 2, 2023.

*For this Fellowship, an emerging museum professional is defined to be someone who has completed a degree within the last five years and is currently working for a museum.