Preservation Carpentry Mill Internship

NRF is a non-profit organization founded in 1968 by Doris Duke to preserve, maintain, and interpret Aquidneck Island’s 18th- and early 19th-century architectural heritage. In addition to a collection of more than 70 early American houses, now rented to tenant-stewards, NRF operates three museum properties: Rough Point, Whitehorne House Museum, and Prescott Farm in Middletown, RI.    NRF maintains all properties with a staff of trained historic preservationists and trades personnel.

The internship is an up to a 12-week full-time position at NRF’s carpentry mill (62 Halsey Street, Newport).  The intern will work under the supervision of NRF’s Mill Supervisor who will guide the daily prioritization of work to be completed.  The mill’s primary role is to repair or recreate interior and exterior property features such as windows, doors, trim, clapboard, and staircases for installation on NRF properties.

Intern Tasks and Duties (under supervision):

• Perform the duties of a carpenter, including the repair or, if necessary, reproduction of window frames, sash, doors, ridge boards, moldings, water tables, corner boards, frieze boards, soffit, and any other elements of exterior and/or interior trim; cut, set, sanding, and glaze glass.
• Assess the existing conditions of historic materials and assist in helping NRF make sound decisions regarding preserving, repairing, restoring, or replacing historic materials or features.
• Operate, safely and expertly, the following equipment: table saw, band saw, 6” auto-feed molding machine, shaper, 12” disc sander, drill press, bench grinders, mortising machine, and all types of hand tools.

• Maintain existing equipment and machinery to ensure safe operation.
• Provide painting, varnishing, and staining for woodwork.

Schedule:  (10-12 weeks, start date based on student availability)

• NRF Mill is the home base each day
• Monday- Friday 8:00 – 4:30   30 min for lunch
• $16.00 per hour as an NRF employee
• Weekly rotation between field and mill. Once projects & availability are selected, a formal schedule will be provided.
• Student housing is not provided, but NRF can assist with finding appropriate housing.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of basic operation of stationary machinery- thickness plainer, miter box, radial arm saw, and table saw
• 1 year of base carpentry experience or training – preservation training is not necessary
• Knowledge of machinery safety protocol
• Intern must have reliable transportation to mill

Intern should possess the following qualities:

• Detail oriented. To meet specifications of project at hand and to keep themselves safe.
• Dexterity.Must be able make precise cuts with a variety of hand tools and power tools. Strong hand-eye coordination.
• Math skills.Knowledge of basic math and computer skills are important. Understand basic geometry to visualize how the wood pieces will fit together to fabricate a three-dimensional object.
• Mechanical skills.Working knowledge of large machinery such as a planer, drill press, and table saw.
• Physical stamina.Ability to endure long periods of standing and repetitious movements.
• Physical strength.Woodworkers must be strong enough to lift bulky and heavy pieces of wood, such as plywood.
• Technical skills.Woodworkers must be able to understand and interpret design drawings and technical manuals for a range of products and machines.
• Desire to Learn & possess natural Curiosity.

Interns will be required to comply with NRF safety policies, including Covid-19 protocol.

For inquiries, please reach out to NRF’s Trades Initiative Manager Kris Turgeon at kris@newportrestoration.org  or (401)556-7165.

NRF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.