NYCMER Managers Peer Group Meeting

Organization Description: As Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, built in 1765, preserves, collects, and interprets history, culture, and the arts to explore inclusive narratives that engage and inspire diverse audiences. One of the nation’s foremost historic house museums, Morris-Jumel Mansion, located in Upper Manhattan, empowers audiences to create relevant contemporary connections to the histories of the Mansion, its collections, the land, and its people, past and present. The Morris-Jumel Mansion has borne witness to much of New York City’s rich and diverse history. Built in 1765 for the Morris family, the original property, located on the ancestral homeland of the Lenape people, comprised fifty modern city blocks. The house would later serve as the headquarters for General George Washington as well as the British military and Hessian troops during the American Revolution. After serving as a tavern for a number of years, Stephen and Eliza Jumel purchased the house in 1810, and embarked on a series of major renovations, reflective of contemporary nineteenth-century tastes. Thanks to the stewardship of the last private owners of the property, Ferdinand and Lillie Earle, the home became a museum in 1904. Position Description: The School & Community Programs Manager leads educational initiatives at Morris-Jumel Mansion, including school, family, and community programs. This public-facing role works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement creative programming that advances MJM’s mission, increases school and community participation, raises the organization’s visibility, and celebrates the museum’s collection and historical significance. The Manager oversees the full execution of programming for school and community audiences. Responsibilities include targeted outreach to local schools, after-school programs, and community organizations; collaboration with peer historic house institutions; coordination of school tours and family days; and supervision of part-time educators and program volunteers.  Because this role engages directly with diverse audiences, Spanish-language fluency is extremely important. School and community programming at MJM is designed to bring history to life, reach diverse audiences, and support the organization’s mission. The School & Community Programs Manager reports to the Executive Director.