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Position Opening:  Museum and Collections Manager

Cook County (MN) Historical Society, Grand Marais, MN

40 hours/week, $19-21/hour

Deadline: November 15th 2024

9/25/2024

The Cook County Historical Society is located in Cook County, Minnesota, a rugged, picturesque landscape on the North Shore of Lake Superior that boasts a population of 5,600, a number that increases seasonally every summer. The purpose of the Historical Society shall be the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of Cook County and to relate it to the history of the State of Minnesota. To fulfill this mission, CCHS operates the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery (JHP Art Gallery) and four historic sites: the History Museum; St. Francis Xavier “Chippewa City” Church, the Bally Blacksmith Shop, and the1930s fishing tug Nee-Gee. Its collections include artworks, artifacts, photographs, maps, oral histories, newspapers, and archival documents. Each year, approximately 23,000 people visit our sites and participate in our tours, presentations, exhibition openings, demonstrations, and other events. We are looking for a driven, passionate individual to join our team.

Museum Manager Job Description

The Museum and Collections Manager reports to the CCHS Director and is member of a team that includes the JHP Art Gallery Manager, the Community Engagement Manager, the JHP Gallery Assistant, and the Facility Caretaker.

CCHS Mission Statement: The purpose of the Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) shall be the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of Cook County and to relate it to the history of the State of Minnesota.


Primary duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manages the regular operations of the History Museum including staffing the museum and recruiting, training, and scheduling volunteers.

  • Manages the CCHS museum and collections, including:

    • Acquiring and documenting new materials for the archival and museum collections

    • Organizing and describing new and existing collections

    • Conducting assessments of the physical condition and preservation needs of collections

    • Operating IT systems for collections management and digitization

  • Conducts research in CCHS collections to support public programs, interpretation, and exhibit design for the museum and other CCHS historic sites, publicity, and individual research requests.

  • Designs and develops new exhibits for the Museum and other historic sites.

  • Assists with grant writing and fundraising to support museum activities.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a humanities or social science field such as history, anthropology, Native American studies, archival studies, cultural studies, etc. AND/OR at least three (3) years of experience with historic sites, museum administration, collections management, and/or digitization of historical collections.


Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Familiarity with standards and IT systems for collection management, digitization and preservation.

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Experience working with volunteers, boards, and diverse communities.

  • Proficiency with Word Suite Programs including Excel Spreadsheets, and digital databases.

  • Commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

To Apply: Please send Letter of Interest, Contact Information for Two Professional References and Resume to Aliya R Marxen at history@boreal.org

Historic Cook County is a 100 year old non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of Cook County, Minnesota. We value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, medical condition, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. 

Cook County occupies traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of the Indigenous community. These lands were ceded to the U.S. Government by the Chippewas of Lake Superior in the Treaty of 1854, including the tribal lands of the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Anishinaabe. The Cook County Historical Society (CCHS) acknowledges the historic and cultural impact of colonial practices. We are committed to creating an accurate and inclusive history of Cook County and all of its inhabitants.