Conservation Intern

Preservation Society of Newport County • Newport, RI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Preservation Society of Newport County offers an annual Conservation Internship to emerging professionals, designed to provide dedicated time and resources for projects relevant to the organization’s current needs in areas such as fine art, decorative art, architecture, textiles, and preventative conservation. The Internship is an opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience and training outside of the traditional academic environment. 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. Position Description: The 2026 Summer Internship in Conservation will collaborate with Textile Conservator, Collections and Conservation Departments in support of surveying textile collections within several of the Preservation Society’s historic properties. The Intern will work closely with the textile conservator, survey the condition of items currently on display, propose a priority list for items most in need of conservation treatment, develop treatment options for top listed items, and complete a conservation treatment on an exemplary piece. The Intern will be responsible for producing written documentation relating to the survey and treatment in a concise and transparent manner, including supportive digital photography. The work will be undertaken with and without supervision. Interns will have access to the conservation studio’s materials, equipment, stereo- and polarized light microscopes and reference library. Time will also be allocated towards the study of primary and secondary source materials to support the overall understanding of the object selected for treatment. Preference will be given to candidates who have a deep understanding of material culture analysis, have experience working with textiles, have experience handling objects, and can understand and compile technical information about materiality, damages, and manufacturing of textiles. Additional tasks within the Conservation Department may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recent graduates of a recognized master’s program in textile conservation or have equivalent training and expertise.
• Able to identify basic textile construction and material components.

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of material culture analysis.
• Experience working with textiles.
• Experience handling objects.
• Ability to understand and compile technical information about materiality, damages, and manufacturing of textiles.
• Exceptional visual and manual aptitudes and research skills.
• Successful authorship of technical documentation such as condition, treatment and analytical reports.
• Proven ability to work independently, organize and manage projects, and meet rigorous deadlines.
• Strong research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Survey the condition of textile items currently on display.
• Propose a priority list for items most in need of conservation treatment.
• Develop treatment options for top listed items.
• Complete a conservation treatment on an exemplary piece.
• Produce written documentation relating to the survey and treatment in a concise and transparent manner, including supportive digital photography.
• Undertake work with and without supervision.
• Study primary and secondary source materials to support the overall understanding of the object selected for treatment.
• Perform additional tasks within the Conservation Department as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern