Research Specialist

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Stearns History Museum Information:  

The Stearns History Museum connects people through the power of history and culture.  Located just off Highway 15 in St. Cloud, Minnesota the Stearns History Museum (SHM) sits on six acres adjacent to Heritage Park.  Families can make a day of their experience and visit the museum, use the skate park, or walk the trails. At SHM visitors can use the archives and library for historical research, explore the exhibit galleries and discover the history of Stearns County, or participate in programs offered for people of all ages.  Special events annually highlight important moments in time.  Anyone interested in exploring their roots is welcome at the Stearns History Museum.     

PRIMARY RESPONSBILITIES:  

This grant-funded Research Specialist will perform a literature review of archival collections at Stearns History Museum, Minnesota Historical Society, and other regional archives for information about the presence of European, African, or Asian (non-native American) people in what is now defined as Stearns County during the colonial period (1607-1783). This will include a review of existing archival materials at the Stearns History Museum, Minnesota Historical Society and any other area archives that are about or are from these voices, as well as investigation of the impact of European settlement here in Stearns County, and its lasting influence on the culture that exists here today. This is phase two of a project which began in 2022.  Phase one centered on the Ojibwe and Dakota people in what is now Stearns County during the same period.  Ultimately, this information from these paired research projects will be used as a foundation for programming in 2026 in recognition of the 250^th anniversary of the United States.

  DETAILED RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Perform detailed historic research about the presence of European, African, or Asian (non-native American) people in what is now defined as Stearns County in the colonial period (1607-1783)
• Connect with archivists to discuss history of the colonial period in what is now defined as Stearns County
• Travel to state and regional historical archives to perform historic research
• Send weekly progress reports to Program Director
• Store detailed notes, scans, photographs, and other relevant material on external hard drive and shared cloud drive
• Write a final literature review highlighting findings, while also emphasizing emerging themes, including those that still have an impact on colonial descendants residing in Stearns County today

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in historic academic research
• Excellent writing, research, and project management skills
• Must be self-motivated and able to keep to a strict schedule and meet deadlines
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and be willing to travel

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A. in History, and willing to provide a sample of work
• Experience working in local and state level archives

Please submit your resume, a cover letter and 2 references who can speak to your work experience to:  Caitlin Carlson, Program Director, ccarlson@stearns-museum.org or Stearns History Museum 235 33^rd Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Applications will be considered through September 30, 2024.  Project must be complete by March of 2025.