Curator (Exhibits & Collections)

Curator (Exhibits & Collections)

Three Village Historical Society & Museum | Setauket, NY
Part-time | 25 hours per week | $22-25/hour (commensurate with experience)

The Three Village Historical Society and Museum (TVHS) seeks an enthusiastic, organized, and driven museum professional to serve as Curator (Exhibits & Collections). This position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the interpretive direction of one of Long Island’s most active community history organizations as it prepares to open its new Dominick-Crawford History and Education Center in 2026 and to enter an unprecedented period of growth for the organization.

About the Organization

The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS), chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the rich and diverse history of Setauket, Stony Brook, and Old Field. Headquartered in the historic Bayles-Swezey House and expanding into the new Dominick-Crawford Barn Education and History Center, TVHS serves as a cornerstone of local heritage and community engagement. The Society collaborates extensively with a wide range of partners, including the Setalcott Tribal Nation, Preservation Long Island, the Three Village Community Trust, the Long Island Museum, and the Villages of Old Field, Poquott, and Port Jefferson, among many others, fostering a network of preservation, research, and public education that extends across the region.

TVHS stewards an expansive and diverse collection encompassing nearly 5,000 linear inches of archival material and over 100,000 archaeological specimens. Its holdings include manuscripts, letters, maps, photographs, oral histories, textiles, tools, decorative arts, and a non-circulating research library that together document more than 10,000 years of human history in the Three Village area. The collections illuminate the region’s cultural, social, and industrial heritage with particular attention to maritime traditions, Black and Native American communities, local families, and the evolution of community life. Guided by the ethical and professional standards of the American Alliance of Museums, the Society upholds a strong commitment to preservation, accessibility, and public service.

Within its archives, researchers encounter some of the earliest records of slavery in the Town of Brookhaven alongside extensive documentation of Black and Indigenous experiences through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Colonial and Revolutionary War histories are preserved through land deeds, witch trial histories, and original materials related to the famed Culper Spy Ring. The area’s nineteenth-century maritime and artistic legacies are reflected in ship logs, journals, and the works of artists such as William Sidney Mount and Shepard Alonzo Mount, who captured the character of 19th-century Long Island life. The archives also contain the photographs of Arthur Green, Edward Larocque Tinker, and others, providing a vivid visual record of everyday experiences, while industrial and architectural records trace the region’s transformation through enterprises such as the Setauket Rubber Factory, Stony Brook’s piano works, and local building traditions.

The Society’s archaeological collections bridge the prehistoric and historic eras, from lithic tools uncovered at the West Meadow Beach site to thousands of artifacts from the 19th-century Brewster-Mount site, offering rare opportunities for both cultural and scientific inquiry. The holdings also document social histories - ranging from local true crime cases such as the 1937 disappearance of Alice Parsons to the ordinary rhythms of domestic life that shaped the community’s identity. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and celebrated annual events - including the Candlelight House Tour, Spirits Tour, Barn and Garden Tour, and Culper Spy Day -TVHS invites the public to engage with this rich historical tapestry. Together, its archives, collections, and partnerships make the Three Village Historical Society and Museum a leading institution for understanding the layered past and enduring spirit of Long Island’s North Shore communities.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director and working closely with the Education Coordinator and Board of Trustees, the Curator is responsible for the research, design, and implementation of exhibitions and for the management and stewardship of the Society’s collections. The position will play a vital role in developing and installing one to two major exhibits annually, interpreting the stories of the Three Village area for a broad public audience.

The Curator also provides research support for educational initiatives and major community events, ensuring historical accuracy and connecting TVHS collections to programming and outreach. The position offers significant opportunities for professional growth through scholarly research, community collaboration, and heritage preservation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Research, design, and install exhibitions across TVHS’s multiple gallery spaces.
• Oversee collections management, including cataloging, storage, conservation, and accessions.
• Respond to public and scholarly research inquiries.
• Collaborate on educational programs and community engagement initiatives.
• Support event planning staff and volunteers by providing historical consultation and identifying relevant collections for educational use.
• Maintain physical and intellectual control of collections following current museum standards and best practices.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate training in Museum Studies, Public History, or Archival Management, or a closely related field.
• Graduate-level experience in historical research and interpretation.
• Prior museum work experience with collections and exhibitions.
• Knowledge of best practices for handling, storing, and documenting collections.
• Proficiency with collections databases and standard office software.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Enthusiasm for community engagement and public-facing work.

Preferred

• Experience working with a variety of materials (photographs, textiles, artwork, artifacts).
• Familiarity with current preservation standards and integrated pest management.
• Experience developing interpretive content and exhibition text.
• Prior research or reference support experience.
• Familiarity with museum collections management databases (e.g., CatalogIt, PastPerfect, CollectiveAccess, etc.).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to reach overhead, climb ladders and stairs, and stand for extended periods.
• Driver’s License and ability to commute to different collection facilities within Setauket and the greater Three Village area.

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits

This is a part-time (25 hours/week), in-person position, with occasional evenings and weekends required for programs and events.
Compensation: $22-25 per hour (commensurate with experience)

To Apply
Send your cover letter and resume/C.V. (including references) to [email protected]