Patricia Anderson Fellows Program

The Patricia Anderson Summer Fellows Program honors the memory and contributions of long-term Maine Preservation board member and past President Patricia McGraw Anderson. Patricia McGraw Anderson was a noted local author, art historian, teacher and tireless advocate of historic preservation.

Our fellowship program is dedicated to the professional development of the next generation of preservationists. The program provides a unique and tangible introduction for those recently graduated or currently pursuing a degree or certificate in historic preservation, a related field, or a qualified trades program.  

Benefits of the fellowship include exposure to the breadth of the preservation field, from construction and repair of structures to the program, policy, and advocacy work of a nonprofit advocacy organization. Fellows will be introduced to the community, policymakers, consultants, supporters, and allied organizations in Maine. Fellows gain important practical knowledge of how preservation businesses and nonprofit organizations function. 

Program Partners: Maine Preservation partners with Bagala Window Works and Preservation Timber Framing to provide fellows with preservation trades training. This year we welcome two new potential trades partners Jacob’s Glass, Inc. and Restoration Resources.

Bagala Window Works, headed by Marc Bagala, restores historic windows and doors from houses, churches, commercial blocks. Marc also designs and manufactures large-scale steam stripping machines.

Preservation Timber Framing, headed by Arron Sturgis, a past president and current member of Maine Preservation’s Board of Advisory Trustees, repairs and restores 18th and 19th century barns, steeples, and houses.

Jacob’s Glass, Inc., specializes in commercial glazing and window restoration. Their work goes beyond windows, addressing the restoration needs of most envelope elements and materials.

Restoration Resources, headed by Les Fossel, a Maine Preservation Advisory Trustee, has been restoring and preserving 18th and early 19th century buildings since 1975, including barns, backhouses, stately colonials, and small capes.

2024 Program Details

Spend the summer in Maine working to save historic buildings! Maine Preservation’s fellowship program spans nine weeks in the summer, split between five weeks of hands-on work with a trades partner and four weeks of organizational work performed remotely. The program timeline is dependent on availability of the fellow cohort but will generally run from June 3 through August 9.  

WORK IN THE FIELD 

Project assignments for the five weeks with our professional trades partners will be made according to each Summer Fellow’s skill set and the projects available.

WORK AT THE DESK 

Responsibilities with Maine Preservation staff include research and professional writing along with event planning and advocacy initiatives. Special projects this summer may include: 

  • Outreach & Education: research and create content for public initiatives; development of an adaptive reuse case study archive and education curriculum

  • Protect & Sell Program: assist with annual easement inspections

  • Field Services: conduct site visits and educate property stewards

  • Advocacy: research and help coordinate 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places list

QUALIFICATIONS 

An academic or professional background in preservation is required. Current enrollment in or completion of a master’s degree or qualified trades program focusing on historic preservation is strongly preferred.  

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to successfully manage multiple projects.

  • Highly motivated as evidenced by a positive attitude, punctuality, and a strong work ethic

  • Knowledge of historic preservation best practices and current issues 

  • Ability to conduct in-depth research on historic buildings, relevant local and state legislation, and policy initiatives. 

  • Willingness to travel long distances for field work 

Moderate to heavy physical effort and ability to stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and walk in all types of weather is required. Placement-specific requirements include lifting or handling of objects over 50lbs. using proper techniques; climbing ladders; working from scaffolding or platforms, on uneven or angled surfaces, and in confined spaces.

 COMPENSATION 

Fellows will be compensated by Maine Preservation at $15.00 per hour. Compensation by the trades partners is at their discretion with a minimum rate of $15.00 per hour. Fellows should plan to work 40 hours per week. The maximum allowable hours for the nine-week program is 360 hours. 

HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION 

Housing and transportation will be the responsibility of the Summer Fellow. Transportation will be required to get to the trades site each day, within a 50-mile radius of Portland. 

 HOW TO APPLY 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume (PDFs only) to info@mainepreservation.org with “Summer Fellowship 2024” in the subject line by 5pm on March 8, 2024. Please include in your cover letter: 

  • a brief introduction to your background

  • a description of your relevant experience and skill set 

  • your plan for transportation and housing in Maine 

  • any conflicts with the June 3 to August 9 program timeframe

  • why you would like to work with Maine Preservation 

Maine Preservation will review the applications on a rolling basis with program partners. Select candidates will be provided with instructions for next steps with a final determination made by April 5, 2024.