Job Summary  

The Preservation Society of Newport County offers annual Residential Research Fellowships to scholars and emerging professionals, designed to provide dedicated time and resources for comprehensive projects relevant to the organization’s current needs. The Preservation Society of Newport County Residential Fellowship is an opportunity to advance scholarship and gain specialized training/experience needed for future and emerging professionals seeking to pursue careers in academia, museums, historic preservation, historic houses and landscapes, or other cultural institutions.  

Our Collections  

The Preservation Society of Newport County protects, preserves, and presents a remarkable collection of eleven historic house museums spanning the history of Newport from the Colonial period through the Gilded Age. Our properties include Hunter House (c.1748), Kingscote (1841), Chateau-sur-Mer (1852), Green Animals Topiary Garden (c.1860), Chepstow (1861), Isaac Bell House (1883), Marble House (1892), The Breakers (1895), The Breakers Stable and Carriage House (1895), The Elms (1901), and Rosecliff (1902). Housed within these architectural masterpieces are more than 60,000 artworks from all around the globe, dating from ancient times to the modern era. The archives collections include papers, photographs, and audiovisual media documenting these properties, the families who lived in them, and the history of Newport, as well as organizational records. 

Position Description 

The Preservation Society of Newport County invites applications for the Curatorial Fellowship, a position designed to support the PSNC’s upcoming 2027 exhibition Ship of Dreams: The RMS Titanic and Newport and other curatorial initiatives across its historic properties. This fellowship offers an emerging museum professional the opportunity to contribute to exhibition development, collections research, and interpretive planning within one of the nation’s most distinguished historic preservation organizations. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to demonstrate successful object-based research utilizing primary and secondary source materials, or who have specific experience contributing to museum or gallery exhibitions. 

Opening summer 2027, Ship of Dreams: The RMS Titanic and Newport will present the remarkable stories of Newporters who sailed aboard the fateful voyage alongside more than 50 artifacts recovered from the shipwreck by RMS Titanic Inc.  

The Titanic’s maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York attracted men and women of many different backgrounds who lived, worked, and played in Newport, Rhode Island. They included a trailblazing woman suffragist, a hardworking Irish waitress, a passionate young bibliophile, two champion lawn tennis players, and the eccentric heir of one of America’s richest families. Despite leading markedly different lives, some of these individuals met face-to-face in Newport and would do so again on the night of the sinking. They represented a cross-section of the diverse society of Gilded Age Newport, which was America’s most vibrant summer resort. 

The exhibition will bring together Newport passengers’ belongings, including fashion, art, and photographs, with firsthand accounts of the sinking and descendant interviews to illuminate their remarkable lives before, during, and after the voyage. Their stories will be augmented by a range of artifacts salvaged from the wreck site by RMS Titanic Inc. that shed light on the ultimate luxury of sailing first class and present a starkly different view of life on and off the vessel for everyday passengers. 

Basic Qualifications 

To be considered for the 2026-2027 Curatorial Fellowship, the candidate must have an MA in Art History, History, American Studies, Historic Preservation, Material Culture, or a related field. The degree should have been conferred within five years from the start of the fellowship. Doctoral candidates conducting dissertation research will also be considered for Fellowships 

Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage multiple projects, and meet rigorous deadlines is necessary, as are strong research, writing, and public speaking skills. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills 

• PhD preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience in curatorial research, exhibition development, or object-based study preferred. 
• Dedication to exploring and promoting paths to understanding the social histories and collections of the PSNC. 

Application Procedures 

Please apply online with a cover letter indicating interest and suitability and a résumé or curriculum vitae. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting January 1, 2026 

Zoom interviews will be conducted with preferred candidates by March 31, 2026. Successful interview candidates will be asked to provide two academic or professional references, an academic writing sample, and one personal reference. 

Selected candidates will be notified by April 15, 2026 

Additional Information 

The fellowship term is September 14, 2026, to August 15, 2027. Residential Fellows receive $40,000 in annual compensation, access to research and travel budget, and housing at no cost in the Berwind-Stautberg Scholars Center.  

Additional Benefits Include:  

• 13 paid holidays 
• Sick Time: Fellows begin accruing paid sick leave on the first day of employment and will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year.   
• Bereavement Days: Fellows are provided 2-3 days in the event of the loss of a family member.  
• Vacation Time: Fellows are eligible for 80 hours (10 days) of vacation time to ensure a balance of work and relaxation. 
• Personal Time: Fellows are eligible for 16 hours (2 days) of personal time.  
• Insurance: Fellows are offered participation in a high-deductible health plan paired with a health savings account and participation in basic dental and vision coverage.  
• Retirement: Fellows are eligible to participate in PSNC’s 403(b) retirement plan with the opportunity for a 3% core contribution and we will match ½ of what you personally contribute, up to 6%. 
• Discounts: Fellows receive a free family membership to the Newport Mansions (20% off retail purchases), free access to several local and over 60 New England museums and cultural attractions, and more.