Curator

About the Role

Redcliffe Plantation, completed in 1859, was once the home of James Henry Hammond, three generations of his descendants, and numerous African-American families like the Henleys, Goodwins, and Wigfalls who worked at the site as enslaved laborers and later as free men and women. Now a public historic site, Redcliffe encompasses the ambition, wealth, and power of Hammond as well as the injustices and suffering endured by the hundreds of enslaved people who lived and worked on the land. This role involves managing, caring for, protecting, researching, and interpreting Redcliffe Plantation’s historic collection and cultural resources.

Acts as Park Manager in the absence of higher-level employees.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine housekeeping and custodial activities to care for the historic house museum and collection, including surface cleaning, integrated pest management, and environmental monitoring.
• Work closely with the Park Manager and Historic Sites Coordinator to identify and address maintenance and preservation issues for the historic collection and structures.
• Ensure a safe environment for park visitors and employees.
• Promote and enhance awareness of Redcliffe’s collection through temporary exhibits, written articles, and collaboration with the SC PRT marketing team.
• Assist with interpretation and operation of the site, including planning programs using the site’s collection and exhibits.
• Foster inter-departmental communication regarding research and interpretation of the collection.
• Supervise staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Perform administrative duties related to the collection, including updating and tracking object locations and conditions in PastPerfect, evaluating deeds of gift, and ensuring proper documentation for acquisitions.
• Maintain and update Redcliffe’s collection management plan.
• Manage curatorial and exhibitions budgets in collaboration with the Park Manager, and identify grants or funding sources for collections and exhibitions.
• Improve knowledge of best practices for collections and cultural resource management through conferences and trainings.
• Promote Redcliffe through networking at local, regional, state, and national levels.
• Facilitate research and cultivate relationships with SC PRT staff, cultural institutions, students, and outside researchers by sharing historic information and collections data.
• Practice and promote teamwork within the Sandhills Region, the agency, and with external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience in museum studies, public history, cultural heritage, or related fields.
• Knowledge of collections management, preservation, and data management, with training in object handling.
• Strong organizational, writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team and deliver information positively.
• Use judgment and discretion in decision-making based on established procedures and guidelines.
• Provide customer-friendly service.
• Physical requirements include light to heavy lifting, walking, standing on uneven terrain, crawling, working at heights, and exposure to weather extremes.
• Valid SC driver’s license.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week with a rotating schedule including weekends and holidays.