Faith and John Gaw Meem Preservation Trades Internship

The Historic Santa Fe Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023 Faith and John Gaw Meem Preservation Trades Internship. The 10-week program begins June 5, 2023 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It permits a student or recent graduate of architecture, planning, design, or a similar field to gain hands-on experience in the theory and practice of building preservation and restoration by working with Foundation staff and board members.

The Organization
The Historic Santa Fe Foundation (HSFF) is an organization that has contributed to the preservation and knowledge of the city of Santa Fe since its founding in 1961. Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote the historic properties and diverse cultural heritage of the Santa Fe area, and to educate the public about Santa Fe’s history and the importance of preservation.

The Program
This program was formed in 2005 in response to the need for preservationists trained in the traditional crafts, especially those skills so essential for the appropriate conservation of the Southwest’s unique earthen architecture. Past interns have been students or alumni of institutions including the University of New Mexico, Belmont College, Goucher College and USC. The program provides an opportunity for emerging professionals to gain hands-on experience with preserving and restoring historic earthen architecture. Heritage Preservation of nearly any kind depends ultimately on a team of skilled workers who have learned the ethics and approaches of preservation as well as the disciplines of their own trades. In particular, the knowledge and skills associated with the traditional building trades are at the heart of architectural conservation. All projects are on-site in Santa Fe, NM at either a HSFF owned property or a nearby historic site operated by a partner organization.

Program Goals
The Preservation Trades Internship exists to provide:
· Preservation trades training – hands-on adobe work, carpentry, window restoration, etc.
· Exposure to the daily workings of a local preservation organization
· To provide opportunities to observe local, state and federal preservation agencies as well as other related organizations
· To connect emerging professionals with others in the field

Internship Qualifications
· Currently admitted to, enrolled in or recently graduated from a college-level preservation or related program
· Desire to gain experience in preservation trades
· Prior experience in construction appreciated but not required
· Basic skills in carpentry, masonry and related trades appreciated but not required
· Ownership of basic hand tools appreciated but not required
· Available to start on June 5, 2023

Term of internship is 10 weeks

Intern Duties
· Work under direction of HSFF staff performing maintenance, repairs and conservation of historic properties in northern New Mexico
· Attend at least one meeting of HSFF Board
· Attend bi-monthly meetings of Santa Fe’s Historic Districts Review Board
· Observe activities of staff of city, state and federal agencies involved in preservation efforts or other preservation organizations
· Attend and assist with HSFF events during term of internship
· Prepare and present an evaluation report on internship experience at the conclusion of the term

Compensation
Intern will be compensated for 40 hour per week at the rate of $13 per hour plus housing. Intern is responsible for food, transportation to and from Santa Fe, and within Santa Fe while in the program, with mileage compensation for travel to and from work sites.

To Apply
Applications for both internships are currently open. Applications for the Meem summer internship will be accepted through March 1, 2023. To download an application visit https://www.historicsantafe.org/internship.
Complete and email the application, a cover letter and a resume/CV to Hanna Churchwell at hanna@historicsantafe.org or mail to:
Historic Santa Fe Foundation
545 Canyon Road
Suite 2
Santa Fe, NM 87501