Historic House Visitor Experience Fellow

International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM); Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The McCormick House Fellow program at Cantigny offers a 1-2 year developmental fellowship focused on daily operations, visitor experience, volunteer programming, and historical interpretation. Fellows work closely with the Director of McCormick House and the Foundation Historian to build skills in research, interpretation, and museum operations while mentoring volunteers and staff.

Continuation after the fellowship is evaluated by Cantigny leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in museum studies, history, public history, education, hospitality, communications, tourism, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in a museum, historic site, cultural institution, visitor attraction, hospitality environment, or comparable public-facing organization.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with the public.
• Excellent oral and written communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Willingness to commit to a 1-2 year fellowship term.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the daily readiness of McCormick House for public visitation.
• Coordinate with Guest Services and Security on opening, closing, visitor access, building security, and emergency procedures.
• Identify maintenance, housekeeping, environmental, technology, and facility issues and communicate them to staff.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, checklists, and visitor-service protocols.
• Oversee day-to-day visitor experience during public hours.
• Train volunteers and tour guides to ensure high-quality storytelling across all tours.
• Research and develop tour narratives connecting the McCormick family, architecture, and Cantigny history.
• Deliver tours and public presentations as needed.

Skills

Public engagement

Museum operations

Volunteer coordination

Storytelling

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The McCormick House Fellow program at Cantigny offers a 1-2 year developmental fellowship focused on daily operations, visitor experience, volunteer programming, and historical interpretation. Fellows work closely with the Director of McCormick House and the Foundation Historian to build skills in research, interpretation, and museum operations while mentoring volunteers and staff.

Continuation after the fellowship is evaluated by Cantigny leadership.