Resident Caretaker wanted starting May 20th, 2014 The Winstead Mansion (Bethel Cottage) Bethel Confederate Cemetery Knoxville, Tennessee Hazen Historical Museum Foundation has been entrusted with the management and care of Bethel Confederate Cemetery in Knoxville. Beginning in 1861, a portion of Knox County’s cemetery was reserved for the burial of Confederate dead. Through the efforts of Knoxville’s Ladies’ Memorial Association and decades of caretaking by the Winstead family, Bethel Cemetery was developed into a suitable memorial to the sacrifice of these men. Today, the property consists of 2.4 acres of ground, a monument erected in 1892, several plaques containing the names of those buried here, and an 1886 caretaker’s cottage. Within the cottage is a small museum dedicated to Knoxville’s place in the Civil War. Our Foundation is in need of a new caretaker for the property, to continue this 150-year history. The Winstead Mansion and Bethel Cemetery are irreplaceable parts of our local and national heritage. If you have an interest in history and have some experience with the maintenance and dealing with the problems that arise while living in an historic residence, this might be the opportunity for you. It is expected for the resident caretaker to maintain and oversee the property as if it were his or her own. Minor repairs, routine maintenance and regular upkeep of the grounds would be undertaken by the resident caretaker without the direction of the Foundation. Necessity of repairs to major systems, equipment, appliances, replacement of fixtures, or repairs of a structural nature should be brought to the attention of the Foundation. We want for the resident caretaker to feel some sense of ownership in the continuance of the museum and cemetery in addition to a sense of pride in enabling future generations to experience an important chapter in our history. The resident caretaker will live in the Winstead Mansion. A two room museum exists on the main floor. The remainder of the house consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom, closet, and laundry on the main level, and a sitting room, bedroom, and storage room upstairs. No rent will be charged. $300 monthly will be due to the Foundation to offset the cost of utilities. The resident caretaker will be required to maintain an internet connection usable from the museum, and to keep the museum itself in a generally clean condition. The grounds of The Winstead Mansion and Bethel Cemetery are to be kept in attractive condition by the resident caretaker. Equipment for this purpose will be provided by the Foundation. Lawn mowing, trimming of grass and weeds, maintenance of flowers, shrubbery, and walkways are the responsibility of the resident caretaker. Necessary tree trimming, shortages of gravel or mulch, and masonry repairs should be brought to the attention of the Foundation. In exchange for services rendered as resident caretaker, the Foundation will pay $1 per year. Following is a list of desirable attributes for our resident caretaker: - Interest in history, and a working knowledge of the Civil War and Knoxville’s place in it. - A knowledge of the fundamental principles of historic preservation. - Demonstrated ability to do general house maintenance and repairs. - Experience with landscaping, pruning, and a basic knowledge of gardening. - Ability to use a riding lawnmowers, weed eater, leaf blower, and chain saw. - Capability of lifting up to fifty pounds. - Being self-motivated, identifying and solving problems, and the ability to complete projects. - Ability to oversee a small budget (gasoline, lawn supplies, donations from visitors, etc.) The resident caretaker will be expected to open the museum and be available for cemetery tours for five hours per week, on a regular schedule. Additionally, the resident caretaker should attend any special events pertaining to Bethel Cemetery, acting as an appropriate ambassador for the Foundation. The resident caretaker will be responsible for reporting concerns directly to the Executive Director of the Foundation, who will report to the Board. A telephone number must be provided, and calls must be returned within a reasonable timeframe. The Foundation may access the caretaker’s cottage in case of an emergency, but will otherwise give 24 hours notice. No public access is ever required of the caretaker’s living space. A background check is required. Personal references will be accepted. Information on previous housing, past employment, and a statement of building and grounds maintenance experience must be provided. Applicants may be interviewed by the Board. Available as early as May 20th. For more information, contact Executive Director, Calvin Chappelle at mabryhazenhouse@gmail or call 865-522-8661.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:39:44 +0000
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