Apply Now for the Flora T. Little Fellowship in Local History at the Bridgewater Public Library
The Bridgewater Public Library Archives seeks a scholar to explore, illuminate, and contextualize the local history of the Bridgewater region. At the library, our mission is to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire the community. With this fellowship, our goal is to provide a clearer understanding of ourselves and each other through deep and meaningful analysis and contextualization of our shared historic heritage.
We invite students of history, public history, the humanities, women’s studies, African-American studies, Indigenous people’s studies, LGBTQ+ studies, folklore, historic crafts, industrialization, New England studies, and others to explore the archival holdings of the public library. And then to share their insights and fresh understanding of our region with the library community.
Fellows will spend the fall academic semester researching the primary resources in the library’s history room, and will present their findings at the end of the semester in three ways: With an on-site exhibit, during an event evening, and through submission of their findings to an academic, peer-reviewed journal.
Our Vision for this Project
Fellows will work with the library archivist, and will have access to the Bridgewater Public Library Archives, which includes records dating to the early English settlement of the region in the 1600s through to the present day. Archival records include town vital records, military records from the 1800s to present, regional newspapers, and varied realia.
Scholars should plan to spend at least four hours per week at the library working with the archivist, researching in the archives, and working with the general library community. Fellows will work collaboratively with library staff to develop their exhibit, publicize their event evening, and share their research with the community. At the end of their tenure, fellows will receive a $1,500 stipend.
To Apply
This fellowship is open to scholars at all career levels, and we are especially interested in scholars who can give voice to archival silences within our collections. To apply, send a current CV and a narrative statement that outlines your experience, why you are interested in this fellowship, your planned research focus, and your vision for how you hope to share your research with the community. Creative, innovative, and unique exhibits and presentations are welcomed and encouraged. If you have any questions, and when you are ready to submit your application, please reach out to our library archivist, Karen Urbec, at kurbec@sailsinc.org.
Other Details
Fellows will not be provided with living accomodations, travel expenses, and other funding, memberships, or benefits. All applicants must be able to pass a CORI screening. Scholars will retain complete copyright to all presentations and publications, but must grant permission to the Bridgewater Public Library, in perpetuity, to have full access and rights to republish any items created during and as an immediate result of the fellowship.
Important Dates
- 30 April 2025–Application deadline
- 30 May 2025–Selection notification
- August 2025–Fellowship pre-planning meeting
- September-November 2025–Fellowship research
- December 2025–Evening reception to present research findings
- December 2025-January 2026–Research exhibit on display in library gallery
