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Explore America Summer Internships

The Starr Center’s Explore America Summer Internship program is one of the most exciting and distinctive opportunities available to Washington College students — and characteristic of the hands-on learning that sets us apart from other liberal arts institutions.

2024 Summer Internship Applications are now being processed.  Thank you for your applications.

 

EASI Video 2023

 

We match students with full-time, fully paid summer internships reserved for Washington College undergraduates at an array of leading cultural institutions and nonprofits. Past locations have included five different Smithsonian museums, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Apollo Theater, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Human Rights Campaign, the U.S. House of Representatives, and many others. In addition to providing paid jobs (up to $6,000 summer stipends) and valuable experience, Explore America Internships introduces students to mentors who sometimes change the course of their lives. Quite a few of our past recipients have been hired upon graduation at the places where they interned. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. 

Photo: Hannah Flayhart  '22 was a conservation education intern at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Md in the summer of 2021. Educating visitors inside the dolphin exhibit was just one of her duties during her experience. 

 

About the Program

52nd Street Project, New York, NY
American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA
The American Scholar, Washington, D.C.
Apollo Theater, New York, NY
Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, DE
Brown University's John Carter Brown Library, Providence, RI
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA
Center for the Book, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, VA
Delaware Center for Horticulture, Wilmington, DE
Easterseals of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore, New Castle, DE
George Washington's Mount Vernon, Alexandria, VA
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, New York, NY
Hagley Museum, Wilmington, DE
Historic Jamestowne, Jamestowne, VA
Human Rights Campaign, Washington, D.C.
LGBT Center, New York, NY
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Library of Congress, Publishing Office, Washington, D.C.,
Maryland Center for History and Culture, Baltimore, MD
Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, MD 
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD 
National Archives and Record Administration, Washington, D.C.
National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C. 
National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GA
National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA 
National Park Service - Harper's Ferry, West Virginia  
National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.
New-York Historical Society, New York, NY
Public Religion Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, Suitland, MD
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, D.C. 
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.
Society for Women's Health Research, Washington, D.C. 
U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian, Washington, D.C. 
Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, VA
Winterthur Museum, Gardens and Library, Winterthur, DE

Full job descriptions to be posted on January 25th.

The Explore America Summer Internship Program (formerly known as Comegys Bight) provides Washington College students with unique opportunities to integrate their academic work with real-world practice, resulting in experiences that often alter their life paths. Click here to read, see, and hear see more about our interns' past adventures. 

The 28 Washington College students who made up the Explore America Summer Internship 2023 cohort represented 16 majors and came from all four class years at the College–including two international exchange students. Twenty-seven partner sites hosted students in 2023, in a variety of different formats: remote, hybrid, and in-person. 

Ruby Baxley ’23: Society for Women’s Health Research
Anastasia Bekker ’24: National Endowment for the Humanities 
Isabel Bendel-Simso ’23: Delaware Center for Horticulture 
Braxton Berry ’23: Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture 
Elcy Canales Escobar ’24: Maryland Center for History and Culture 
Morgan Carlson ’25: Longwood Gardens 
Paige Dauplaise ’24: Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery 
Faye Dorman ’26: Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library 
Heather Fabritze ’25: The American Scholar 
Jordan Hyde ’25: Public Religion Research Institute 
Nakiyan Johnson ’24: Human Rights Campaign 
Lucy Jolliff ’24: Smithsonian American Art Museum 
Alyssa Kovacs ’23: Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art 
John Mangelli ’24: National Constitution Center 
Taylor Mantyk ’24: Longwood Gardens 
Claire Maskin ’25: Easterseals of Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore 
Rae Merson ’24: Biggs Museum of American Art 
Kaitlin Osucha ’25: George Washington’s Mount Vernon 
Hannah Pacholok ’26: Chadd’s Ford Historical Society 
Hilde Perrin ’23: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 
Tseyang Pewa ’24: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park 
Kamden Richardson ’24: U.S. House of Representatives – Office of the Historian 
Delaney Runge ’24: Library of Congress – Literary Initiatives Office 
Macallan Sansbury ’24: American Philosophical Society 
Harriet Starkey ’23: New-York Historical Society 
Andraya Sudler ’26: Hagley Museum and Library 
Alex Trabold ’23: Maryland State Archives 
Jack Yee ’25: National Aquarium 

The application period for the 2024 Explore America Summer Internship Program will open on January 25th and close on February 15th, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

2024 Explore America Summer Internship Opportunities

2024 Internship Position Descriptions

American Philosophical Society, Digital Scholarship Internship 
Philadelphia, PA 

In-person, full-time position

This summer internship is an opportunity to learn more about archival research, digitization, and digital scholarship while gaining hands-on experience developing a digital humanities project in a research library setting.  

Revolutionary City: A Portal to the Nation’s Founding is a public-facing digital archive 
(https://therevolutionarycity.org/) of manuscript materials created or received in Philadelphia during the American Revolution (1774-1783). Archival collections that reveal the story of how the Revolution unfolded in that most revolutionary of cities are largely hidden. Philadelphia is an iconic symbol of the American Revolution, home to the Continental Congress and Independence Hall. While historic sites can be visited, the personal diaries, correspondence, broadsides, and business and court documents documenting the conflicted feelings of the women and men who lived through the tumultuous revolution cannot be easily found online. Revolutionary City brings together collections scattered across multiple archives, reuniting manuscript and print materials that have been separated, in some cases, for centuries.  Institutional choices about collection organization and cataloging privilege elite white families, rendering invisible many more, especially people of color, with whom their lives were intertwined. As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary in 2026, Americans will be looking online for materials to help them understand the nation’s founding principles, history, and democratic processes. Revolutionary City will allow them to see their own diverse backgrounds and experiences reflected in these sources, in the shared story of the women and men who declared independence, founded a new nation, and united as a citizenry to create a democracy. 

Working closely with staff at the APS, the intern will contribute to the Revolutionary City Portal. The internship will focus on digitization of the original manuscripts, metadata creation, and biographical research on women and men named in these rare primary source materials. Special attention will be paid to recovering the voices of women and men marginalized in the archival record.  By contributing to this digital humanities project, the Intern will learn how to: 

• Work with unique digitized archival holdings

Digitize 18th-century documents

• Generate meaningful metadata from historic documents

• Research historical sources in a range of formats

• Communicate findings to local, national, and international audiences

• Plan and prototype future uses of the data

The American Philosophical Society (APS), the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purposes of “promoting useful knowledge.” In the 21st century, it serves to advance knowledge and promote scholarship in the humanities and social, mathematical, life, and physical sciences. Members of the Society are elected from among the most eminent scholars and civic and cultural leaders in North America and abroad. More than 100 living APS Members are Nobel laureates. 

The APS Library & Museum’s collections make it among the premier institutions for documenting and exhibiting the history of the American Revolution and founding, the history of science from Newton to NASA, Native American languages and culture, and the development of American anthropology. The Library houses over 13 million manuscripts, 275,000 volumes and bound periodicals, 250,000 images, fine art, and other objects.

Museum exhibitions interpret these extensive collections for the regional, national, and international visitors who come to Philadelphia’s historic district. In so doing, the exhibitions aim to nurture the spirit of inquiry, promote critical thinking, and engender enthusiasm for object-based learning by using primary source documents and authentic objects. The Library & Museum also hosts a robust fellowship program, offering over 25 short-term and 10 long-term fellowships each year to scholars using its collections.  For further information on APS Library & Museum Collections visit: http://amphilsoc.org/library and 
http://amphilsoc.pastperfectonline.com/ 

The American Scholar Magazine, Magazine Intern

Remote or hybrid, full-time position (hybrid option TBD) The American Scholar is the venerable but lively quarterly magazine of public affairs, literature, science, history, and culture published by the Phi Beta Kappa Society since 1932. In recent years, the magazine has won five National Magazine Awards, the industry’s highest honor, and been nominated for awards sixteen times. Many of its essays and articles have been selected for the yearly Best American anthologies. 

Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous speech “The American Scholar,” delivered to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Harvard College in 1837, the magazine aspires to Emerson’s ideals of independent thinking, self-knowledge, and a commitment to the affairs of the world as well as to books, history, science, fiction, poetry, and the arts. 

Position Summary: The intern will have the opportunity to work closely with a small staff of four full-time editors, as well as the associate publisher, in several areas of editing and publishing. 

Responsibilities:

• Fact-check articles prior to publication

• Write and create content for the magazine’s social media channels and think about innovate ways to use social media

• Assist in maintaining the magazine’s digital presence

• Read proof and participate in the final proofing round of the publication cycle

• Work with our associate publisher on promotions and other business-related matters

Qualifications: A deep and abiding interest in books, magazine writing, and the arts. The ability to write clearly, stylishly, and concisely. Candidates should have a facility with Microsoft Word, Twitter, and Instagram (especially in creating reels and stories). 

The Apollo Theater, Education Intern

The legendary Apollo  - the soul of American culture - plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. 

OUR MISSION: The Apollo is a commissioner and presenter; catalyst for new artists, audiences, and creative workforce; and partner in the projection of the African American narrative and its role in the development of American and global culture.

OUR VISION: The Apollo envisions a new American canon centered on contributions to the performing arts by artists of the African diaspora, in America and beyond.

Apollo Theater Education Program

The Apollo’s Education department paves the way for the next generation of art makers, technicians, curators, and patrons. Engaging audiences of all ages with programming that amplifies Black history, arts, and culture. These include workshops and residencies, tours, panels, internships, and more for K-12 and adult audiences. As well as tools for youth development and career readiness, and professional learning workshops for educators.

Education Intern: The Apollo Theater Oral History Project (OHP) grew out of a larger initiative undertaken in 2006 to capture the oral histories of Apollo “history-makers” and others pertinent to the development of the Theater over the course of its history. Each project focuses on teaching students to conduct oral history interviews to provide them with perspectives of 20th and 21st century history. Participating students learned how to translate content into new media, visual, or performing arts presentations.

We are looking for someone who will work under the guidance of the Director of School Programs to:

  • Develop a podcast series using the audio recordings created from past OHP interviews, specifically, the audio from the C.S. 154 project, where students collected oral histories from the Significant Elders of Harlem to learn about the ever-evolving story of Harlem. The podcast series will highlight the stories that have been told and shared by our elders within the community. The ideal candidate will have experience with content curation, be self-motivated, and have creative technical experience.
  • Develop animation using the recordings of our oral history interviews.
  • Organize media files and develop programmatic PPT presentations.

Biggs Museum of American Art, Communications Internship 
Dover, DE 

Hybrid or in-person, part-time position - Established in 1993 and located in Historic Downtown Dover, Delaware, the Biggs Museum of American Art houses an outstanding collection of American fine and decorative arts, with particular strengths in paintings of the Delmarva Peninsula, early American furniture and regional silver. Recent and upcoming exhibitions have included a collaboration with the Guild Hall: An Adventure in the Arts, and Art Deco Glass from the Huchthausen Collection. Upcoming exhibitions include: Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul  and The Wyeth Family: Three Generations of American Art.  

Position Summary: The Biggs Museum of American Art invites Washington College students to apply for our Communications Internship during the summer of 2023. The intern will have the opportunity to work with the Director of Marketing and Public Relations to strengthen and help manage the Biggs Museum's Social Media presence and complete other ad hock assignments as needed.  This 8 week (20 hours/week) summer program will run from early June through early August with the possibility of extending to 10 weeks if agreed upon by all parties. This position has the flexibility to be hybrid or fully on-site. 

Responsibilities:

• Manage and monitor Biggs Museum's social media presence on platforms including but not limited to: Facebook, lnstagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Knowledge of Hootsuite a plus.

• Review, update, and create content for Biggs' website

• Create original social media content to engage with followers

• Maintain the Biggs' presence on local community calendars

• Edit sound and videos produced by the Education Department using basic software

• Assist in the research of methods to reach young and diverse audiences

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience with social media platforms and management

• Knowledge in working iPhone cameras • Excellent writing and editing skills

• Ability to work independently and creatively

• Excellent organization and ability to adhere to deadlines both long-term and immediate

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite is recommended but not required

• Strong collaborative mindset

Chadds Ford Historical Society, Educational Programs Internship

Chadds Ford, PA

In person, full-time position

The Chadds Ford Historical Society is a non-profit located along Brandywine Creek. The Society owns and maintains three pre-revolutionary buildings which are open to the public as house museums. They are headquartered in a large building in Chadds Ford with a community room, computer area, archive and storage areas, research library, and museum shop. The Society runs a wide variety of community events, lecture series, exhibits, and educational programs and maintains a significant collection of historic documents and artifacts.

Position available for an intern interested in a full-time experience for the summer.

Program Planning: The Society runs a variety of educational programs throughout the year. These activities include youth camps for both scouting and history during the summer months. Additionally, our historic homes are open to the public for tours and historic demonstrations. Lesson planning for camps is necessary for both employees and volunteers to run these programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Serve as an engaging docent for building tours, wearing colonial garb (provided by CFHS).
  • Research historical information pertinent to fulfill the requirements of the camp programs.
  • Develop Lesson plans necessary to execute the camp program.
  • Utilize this research and lesson plans to assist in these camps.
  • Assist staff in various tasks as needed at all sites.

Qualifications:

  • Personal transportation is a must.
  • Strong leadership skills required to run a summer program.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Strong writing, organizational, public speaking and research skills.
  • Hours primarily between Tuesday and Saturday but may occasionally vary.

Delaware Center for Horticulture, Urban Greening & Agriculture Internship 

Wilmington, DE

In-person, full-time position - The Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH, Wilmington, DE) is seeking a motivated, energetic student in horticulture, agriculture, or plant science to serve as our 2023 Urban Greening and Agriculture Intern.  This internship is a hands-on program that assists in the care and maintenance of DCH’s community forestry activities, DCH facility gardens in the Trolley Square neighborhood of Wilmington, landscaped sites located throughout Wilmington and New Castle County, and farming activities at DCH's two urban agricultural locations within the city limits of Wilmington. This internship will also provide the opportunity to assist DCH's Education Manager with educational program delivery geared toward youth and focused on topics related to the outside world.

For the 2024 growing season, DCH's intern will have the unique opportunity of working directly with DCH’s Public Landscapes Manger, Community Forester, and Urban Farm Coordinator, gaining applied community outreach experience through hands-on growing, harvesting, and community engagement, while also gaining practical experience in urban agriculture, urban forestry, public/display horticulture, and the daily operations of a small not-for-profit. Additionally, the intern will have the opportunity to help support the development and expansion of DCH’s Delaware River Climate Corps (DRCC), entering its second year. The DRCC is an expansion of DCH’s Branches to Chances© horticultural workforce development program serving returning citizens through horticultural instruction, experience, and job placement. 

The experience is envisioned as a full-time (37.5 hrs/week) position for 8-10 weeks, mid-May through late July/early August. Exact start and end dates are negotiable. 

Learning and Experience Offered 
Opportunities to attend off-site (or virtual), industry training, such as plant conferences and workshops, and to visit other local public gardens. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Will report directly to DCH's Community Forester, participating in weekly care and maintenance tasks for DCH's tree planting activities, facility gardens and container plantings.
  • Assist the Education Manager with the planning and delivery of select educational programs.
  • Participate and support workshops and events, as schedule permits.
  • Serve as a team member for installation and maintenance of DCH greening projects and as a support system for DCH's community forestry & urban ag activities and public landscapes. 
  • Participate in the development of a new urban tree and garden plantings and / or data collection for related projects.
  • Watering of new project plantings and landscape installations, container plantings, and public landscapes. -
  • Learn safe, approved methods for integrated pest management, weed control, pruning of woody plants, power tool use, and procedures for working on public sites. -
  •  Work with volunteers and community members.
  • Assist with tracking time and materials. 
  • Complete an independent study project under the direction of your supervisor (if desired or required).

Qualification/Requirements

  • A strong academic background or experience in horticulture, agriculture, landscape architecture, environmental studies or closely related field is desired but not required. 
  • Passion and interest in the outdoors, climate resiliency, and community outreach.
  • An ability and willingness to communicate with garden visitors.
  • Strong work ethic, both independently and as part of a team. 
  • Willingness to work outdoors in a variety of summer weather.
  • Be able and willing to lift at least 50 lbs. 
  • A valid driver's license and verifiable driving record is required.
  • Flexibility/ Ability to conform to COVID safety protocols including mask wearing, social distancing, etc. in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.

Proof of COVID vaccination and booster is required. Personal vehicle and laptop are required to ensure ability to access various sites with safe distance and to participate in virtual meetings and events, as warranted. 

Easterseals of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore

DE (Newark, Dover, Georgetown, or New Castle) In-person, full-time position 

Position Title: Life Services (IDS) or Adult Day Health Services (ADHS) Intern

Location Options: Newark (IDS only), Dover (IDS only), Georgetown (IDS or ADHS) or New Castle (IDS or ADHS)

Purpose: This full-time Intern will work as a classroom assistant in one of our Day Programs. The Intellectual Disability Services (IDS) provides goal-driven activities and community involvement through individual and group instruction. Interns will support staff in creating and implementing meaningful program activities that promote independence. There will be opportunities to create and lead your own group activity or presentation, as well as observe and participate in staff meetings. The Adult Day Health Services (ADHS) works alongside program staff as activity/program assistants and will help staff in conducting group and individual activities, preparing lunches and clerical work. They will support our mission to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Program Description: Intellectual Disabilities Services provides day programs with community-oriented opportunities and activities for adults with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities, designed to increase personal independence and enhance the person’s quality of life. Adult Day Health Services provides social, recreational, and educational activities for men and women that have an acquired disability. Typically, they have had a normal life experience (career, marriage) and then had a life event such as a stroke or brain injury, or onset of a disease such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's. The result is a group of people whose thinking is intact, but whose bodies no longer function well for independent living. Programs are supervised by a licensed nurse and on-site therapy services are available as medically indicated.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist staff in creating and leading meaningful program activities that promote independence based on the individual’s preferences and strengths
  • Plan and participate in community activities (these include trips to restaurants, parks, gardens, orchards, )
  • Engage participants in different activities
  • Case management support
  • Help with room set up and breakdown
  • Assist with lunch
  • Other duties as assigned

Length of Internship: We are looking for about 30-40 hours a week for this full time, 10-week internship, though we will build a schedule that best fits the intern’s schedule. Our programs run Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 2:30pm.

Qualifications: Basic knowledge of computers. Pleasant manner, approachable, patient, problem-solving ability, dependability, and desire to work with people with disabilities. Training for this position will be provided. Dress code is business casual.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Digital Mapping Internship 
Mt. Vernon, VA  Hybrid, full-time position

One of the nation’s most beloved historic sites, Mount Vernon offers a glimpse into 18th-century life through beautiful gardens and grounds, intriguing museum exhibits, and immersive programs honoring George Washington’s life and legacy.   The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington serves to increase scholarship in and access to the life, leadership, and legacy of George Washington. The Library comprises three areas of work: Center for Digital History, Leadership Institute, and Library Programs. The Library provides access and training to many audiences and works in concert with George Washington’s Estate (located across the street) to support over a million visitors per year as well as millions more who explore our resources online. 

Position Summary: The Center for Digital History at the Washington Library is seeking a Digital Mapping Intern for summer 2024. The CDH creates new research and teaching opportunities centered on George Washington and early America through digital means. The Center is collaborating with the Leventhal Map and Education Center at the Boston Public Library to construct ARGO: American Revolutionary Geographies Online, a new digital portal that brings together thousands of digitized early American maps from several partner institutions into one place. In addition to the maps, ARGO will feature essays, curated exhibits, and digital interactives that help patrons interpret the cartography and geography of the Revolutionary Era.  

The intern will work collaboratively with the CDH’s Manager and Digital Projects Editor on the project. The library is open 9-5, M-F; schedule can be built to best fit the interns own schedule and needs. Some in-person work is required, but the intern will have the option to work remotely in consultation with the CDH team. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Analyzing and tagging maps for inclusion in online exhibits and facet collections

• Background research on George Washington’s maps and other topics

• Assisting in the creation of interactive features.

• Other duties as assigned

They will also have the option of writing an article to contribute to ARGO or another CDH project.

Qualifications:

• Strong research skills

• Good organizational skills and the ability to work independently

• An interest in early American history

• An interest in digital collections practices and the practice of digital history

Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Curatorial Internship 

New York City  In-person, full-time position.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education. The Institute is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to K–12 history education while also serving the general public. Its mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources.  At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. Drawing on the 85,000 documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection and an extensive network of eminent historians, the Institute provides teachers, students, and the general public with direct access to unique primary source materials.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is supported through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Institute’s programs have been recognized by awards from the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Organization of American Historians, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the National Daughters of the American Revolution. 

This internship will provide a strong foundation in multiple aspects of the museum and archives profession. Interns will be trained in object handling, collection management software, and collection management. Applicants should have a strong interest in American History and considering a career in archives or museum studies. 

Roles and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

Review of Metadata in a item level collection

  • Review materials in the Collection and standardize their dates to read Month, Day, Year.
  • Migrate information for letters to a newly created recipient field.
  • Verify that authors and recipients are listed in the People field.
  • Other fields may be added to the review depending on progress.

Required skills include:

• Highly organized with close attention to detail

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Quick thinker with demonstrated problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of basic collections care and management practices a plus

Human Rights Campaign, Internship 
Washington, D.C. 

Hybrid/Remote/In-Person (depending on the student), full-time position

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ+ equality. By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.  The Human Rights Campaign is seeking engaging, passionate interns for Summer 2023. We strongly encourage people of color, transgender and non-binary people to apply. HRC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone, including non-LGBTQ+ people, to join our team.

The intern may be placed in the departments of Political Affairs, Communications, Development, or Community and Education depending on their interests/background and the needs of the organization. Candidate must be vaccinated against Covid 19 and present proof of vaccination

Responsibilities: 

● Research policies impacting the LGBTQ+ community

● Assist with data entry projects

● Communicate with our members and partners through email and social media

● Help execute large scale HRC events

● Attend departmental meetings and all staff meetings

● Provide general administrative support

Qualifications:

● Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Google Apps (Gmail, Google Docs and Drive)

● Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills

● Ability to prioritize many projects and meet deadlines

● Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal communication, small-group communication, verbal communication, and written communication

Outcomes:

  • Receive education on LGBTQ+ and civil rights issues
  •  Obtain a better understanding of politics
  • Learn the ins and outs of a non-profit 
  • Accessible networking opportunities

This internship has the option to be fully remote or in-person in our Washington, D.C. office. 

Library of Congress – Literary Initiatives Office, Literary Initiatives Office Internship

Washington, D.C.

Hybrid, full-time position - The Literary Initiatives Internship is designed for individuals who are studying English or Creative Writing, Library Science, and other related subjects in the field. It is intended to offer training for those looking to have a career in arts administration, publishing, and public programming.

Interns will assist with the office's literary programs; the National Book Festival; literary event series; special and ongoing projects. Interns will also assist with programs including those related to literary ambassador positions such as the U.S. Poet Laureate, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and the winner of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction; and assist the office in its day-to-day activities.

The Library benefits by having assistance in the Literary Initiatives office and by further connecting to the local literary community. For students wanting careers in literary public programming, this experience is invaluable.

Activities include:

• Writing blogs

• Organizing info submitted by publicists via author nomination forms

• Developing LibGuides (researcher resources)

• Supporting the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program

• Editing author videos to create social media shorts/reels

• National Book Festival support

  • Proofread, write and review website content
  • Update workflow and help keep track of data
  • Work on promotional content
  • All other tasks assigned to prepare for NBF

General Website: https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature

National Book Festival Website: https://www.loc.gov/bookfest

Interests/Areas of Study: Humanities, Art and Culture; Literature; Poetry; Literary Events; Interest in literature for all ages and in all genres; librarianship; publishing; writing.

Longwood Gardens, Land Stewardship and Ecology Internship

TWO POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE

In-person, full-time position

The Land Stewardship and Ecology Intern is immersed in both the practice of land stewardship and the science of ecology, learning from varied experiences that range from restoration of native plant communities and scientific data collection to trail maintenance and wildlife monitoring.

The intern supports Longwood’s Land Stewardship and Ecology team in the management of 700+ diverse acres of forests, meadows, wetlands, streams, ponds, and agricultural lands in southeastern Pennsylvania Piedmont landscape, including the 86-acre Meadow Garden. All members of the team perform daily stewardship activities such as planting, meadow mowing, trail maintenance, and invasive species management.

The intern also helps to advance scientific research in ecology and test innovative land stewardship practices. Responsibilities may include: Collecting field, laboratory, and greenhouse data

GIS mapping; engaging with volunteers; and participating in educational programs related to land stewardship.

Qualifications:

Self-motivation, a high degree of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and with a team are essential.

The ability to lift 50 lbs., willingness to work in adverse weather conditions, and a valid driver's license are required.

Experience with ecological data collection is preferred.

Applicants must have or be actively working toward a bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, wildlife biology, environmental science, or a related discipline, along with a passion for land stewardship and conservation.

For more information:

https://longwoodgardens.org/sustainability/land-stewardship-management

 

The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), Digital Collections Internship.

The intern will aid with scanning, metadata cleanup, and enhancement of our digital collections. This is an opportunity for a student or recent graduate to gain hands-on technical experience in object handling, digital imaging, and accessibility. The intern will work under the direction of the Director of Digital Collections and Initiatives and have opportunities to intersect with Special Collections Archivists, Museum Educators, and Curatorial staff throughout their work.

Duties:

  • Parse out metadata according to organizational standards.
  • Conduct research to verify, enhance, and update metadata.
  • Consult internal and external resources to generate new metadata for digitized items.
  • Utilize controlled vocabularies, including Library of Congress name authority files and subject headings.
  • Scan collections material and gather observational data.

Requirements:

  • Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, pursuing a graduate degree in museum studies, information studies, history, or a related program, or a recent graduate from such a program. Preference will be given to candidates with completed collections, archival, museum or library-related coursework.
  • Effective communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • Close attention to detail.
  • Proficient with technology and able to learn new systems and software.
  • Flexible and able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Must be able to commit 10 hours per week on-site at MCHC.
  • Selected intern will undergo a background check

National Aquarium, Conservation Education Internship

Baltimore, MD

In-person, full-time position - Short Description: Education interns assist Conservation Education and Guest Engagement staff in the creation, revision, and instruction of school, outreach, and guest engagement programs.

The selected candidate has the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic team of educators and a variety of audiences, and will learn a number of teaching methods in changing settings.

Detailed Description: Education interns assist Conservation Education and Guest Engagement staff in the creation, revision, and instruction of classroom, outreach, and guest engagement programs. The selected candidate has the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic team of educators and a variety of audiences and will learn a number of teaching methods in changing settings.

Essential Functions:

• Instruct formal on-site and outreach programs, including classroom, auditorium, and virtual programs.

• Teach Aquarium guests about the animals in our care and how they can make a difference through interpreting the Aquarium’s exhibits and educational carts

• Support afterschool youth programs such as the Henry Hall Fellowship and Youth Exhibit Guide Program

• Assist with lesson plan development and preparation of educational programs

• Complete special projects and duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Must be interested in education, public speaking, and customer service. Preferred: demonstrated interest in marine science, the environment, or conservation.

• Must be interested in learning about the Aquarium’s animals, exhibits, and mission.

• Must be able to navigate Zoom and other virtual meeting technology, or willing to learn quickly.

• Must occasionally be willing to talk to large audiences (up to 200) in a variety of settings.

• Must be enrolled at Washington College or have graduated in the previous semester, pursuing a degree in education, science, or a related field.

• Must complete a minimum of 10 weeks of full-time work within the term.

Internships at the National Aquarium provide hands-on and minds-on experiences that add value to any college education. Applying classroom knowledge, interns obtain valuable job experience and establish professional contacts.

The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply.

National Constitution Center, Visitor Experience and Education Internship

Philadelphia, PA

Hybrid, full-time position -Reports to the Director of Learning and Engagement

BACKGROUND

The National Constitution Center is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization devoted to teaching about the Constitution. Located on Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, steps from where the Constitution was drafted and signed, it serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.”

POSITION SUMMARY

The Education Intern will work with Visitor Experience and Education department directors to create innovative and engaging educational materials to support the Center programs and initiatives. This includes creating materials such as worksheets, study guides, PowerPoint presentations, quizzes, and other similar materials to better support the educational experience of students, teachers, and parents as they use online resources like the Interactive Constitution, or attend online classes and virtual tours.

The intern will also support the on site educational experience by helping to create dynamic museum programs connected to museum exhibits or holiday observances. This process will involve researching a variety of historic topics, developing creative ways to present these topics to a wide audience in a museum setting, writing program scripts, creating PowerPoint presentations or other audio/visual elements to accompany the programs, and acquiring any props, costumes, or supplies that may be needed for the programs.

The intern will assist project leads during the planning and execution of education department programs, events and initiatives, including teacher community events, Scholar Exchanges (online classes), Civic Holidays, family programs like scouting events and sensory-friendly days, and other projects as needed, helping to ensure that projects are well organized and stay on task.

This is a hybrid internship, with the intern expected to be at the NCC’s Philadelphia location at least three days a week, and the option for remote work the other two days.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create materials such as worksheets, study guides, PowerPoint presentations, quizzes, and other similar materials to correlate with the Center's online resources.

• Create innovative educational programs that will be presented by the Center's education staff on the museum floor

• Provide research assistance for programs that will be created in conjunction with the Center's exhibits and events.

• Support in the planning and executing of education department programs, events, and initiatives.

• Attend department meetings, prepare agendas, take and circulate notes, and track action items.

• Assist with copyediting and review of internal documents

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Please note that the Center may change specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization

QUALIFICATIONS

• Full-time student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university

• Strong interest in the U.S. Constitution and history of the United States; interest in Education or Museum Programs preferred

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong historical research skills

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint

• Reliable, detail-oriented

• Must be available during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; ability to work weekends and holidays a plus.

• Previous experience working with public a plus

National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of Federal-State Partnerships,

Washington, D.C.

Remote, full-time position: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency that provides support to advance and disseminate knowledge in all of the disciplines of the humanities: history, literature, linguistics, archaeology, jurisprudence and the history, criticism and theory of the arts.

The Office of Federal/State Partnership brings humanities education, lifelong learning, and public humanities programming to communities across the country by providing general operating support grants to more than 50 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. Together, Federal/State Partnership and the councils advance public understanding of the humanities, while enhancing public awareness of, access to, and support for the humanities on a local, grassroots level. State and jurisdictional councils sponsor book festivals, literacy programs, speaker’s bureaus, teacher development, cultural tourism, humanities publications, community conversations, films, and exhibitions, among other public programs.

The Office of Federal/State Partnership is looking for an intern with a passion for the humanities and excellent writing, communications, and organizational skills. Interns must be professional, self-directed, pay close attention to detail, and able to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Potential projects include research and writing on current public humanities topics; digital records management; and data analysis. Some examples of projects:

• Researching and compiling reports on council programs and sub awards, particularly programs related to NEH’s new special initiative, American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future, that leverages the humanities to strengthen our democracy, advance equity for all, and address our changing climate

• Working with program officers to create graphs and reports from councils’ 2022 Activities and Outcomes

Report data

• Assisting program officers with planning for NEH’s participation in the National Book Festival

While working in the Office of Federal/State Partnership, the intern will have an opportunity to participate in agency wide intern activities, explore the roles and responsibilities of other NEH divisions, and attend virtual programs conducted by state and jurisdictional humanities councils.

National Historical Park, Education and Interpretation Internship

Harpers Ferry, WV

TWO POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE - In-person, full-time (12 weeks), with housing provided - Harpers Ferry

National Historical Park encompasses almost 4,000 acres across the three states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, the park includes over 20 miles of hiking trails and over two centuries of recorded history. Here you can walk in the footsteps of early explorers and settlers, presidents, soldiers, students, and civil rights activists, as they each wrought changes on the landscape and shaped the course of American history.

This in-person internship is an opportunity to work in Public History with National Park Service rangers in the Interpretation, Education, and Partnerships team at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

The intern will undergo a two-week acclimation period where they will experience the park and all it has to offer, including the battlefields, hiking trails, and historic areas such as Lower Town and Camp Hill. Once completed, the intern will receive further training and will do the work of public history, including:

Formal Interpretation

  • The intern will research and develop a formal program to present to the public encompassing the whole history of Harpers Ferry

• The intern will have the opportunity to develop an additional program on a relevant topic of their choice

• The intern will have the opportunity to learn and present formal Living History and Education programs

Informal Interpretation

• The intern will staff the Visitor Contact Station Desk, greeting visitors as they arrive and orienting them to the park

• The intern will rove high-trafficked areas of the park, contacting visitors and providing any assistance they may need

• The intern may periodically staff exhibits in the Lower Town of Historic Harpers Ferry, providing orientation and informal interpretation relevant to the exhibit and the park’s history

• The intern may provide support for educational group visits to the park

• The intern will be introduced to digital interpretation and assist with the park’s social media team

Other duties

• The intern will have the opportunity for cross-training with other park teams

• The intern will assist park staff with special events such as concerts

Environmental and physical considerations

• Hiking trails in the park range from easy, short walks, to strenuous hikes of 6 to 8 miles.

• The intern may be asked to lift objects up to 30lbs such as plastic tables and chairs

• Summer temperatures in Harpers Ferry often exceed 90° with high humidity

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Research Assistant Internship, Washington, D.C.  

Hybrid, full-time position - The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the history of the United States through individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story. The National Portrait Gallery is charged with recognizing, through portraiture, the lives of individuals who have made significant contributions to American history and culture. It is both an art museum and a museum of history and biography. 

The internship works for the office of the Historian at the National Portrait Gallery. The incumbent will assist senior staff in researching topics related to upcoming exhibitions, particularly those about Watergate and the War of 1898. The intern will also help with department and museum management by assisting with administrative duties related to the scholarship center of the National Portrait Gallery. 

Successful candidates must have excellent skills in research and writing and an avid interest in the intersections between art, history and biography. Skills in Excel and website management desirable. Ideal candidates are resourceful, interested in research and writing about art as well as about history, and able to work both independently and on a team.

Interns will be expected to work three days in-person at the National Portrait Gallery, and the remaining two days virtually. 

 

New-York Historical Society Museum and Library, Museum Education Internship

New York City

Hybrid, part-time position

As an intern with the Education Department, the intern will work with a department that serves more than 200,000 students each year, and nearly 5,000 teachers. Our extensive range of school programs engage students from early elementary school through high school in American history, and introduce young historians to research skills through primary sources and digital media projects. Professional development programs and curriculum resources for teachers foster learning and invite exciting opportunities for classrooms to explore history in new ways.

The internship will run from June 12 until August 18, 2023, with both remote and on-site days, approximately 18 hours per week. Our Summer 2023 intern will assist with ongoing programming, helping with research, program facilitation, and administrative tasks, as needed.

Public Religion Research Institute, Research Internship

Washington, D.C.

Hybrid, full-time position-

Position Summary:

PRRI offers one research internship during the summer semester to an outstanding student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Interns will assist with a variety of tasks related to survey research and production. Research interns will aid in all aspects of the research process, including the development of survey questionnaires, data analysis, and the production of research reports.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct background research for research reports

• Compile lists previously asked questions on research topics

• Number check reports and materials for media outlets and funders

• Assist with brainstorming and writing of blog posts for PRRI website

• Assist with survey design and writing survey reports

Qualifications:

• Currently in the process of earning a bachelor's or master's degree in political science, religious studies, psychology, journalism, communications, or related field

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, detail-oriented

• Demonstrated interest in religion, politics, and cultural issues

• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel)

• Prior experience with statistical analysis software programs such as R, RStudio, or Stata is a plus, but not required

Benefits:

• Get to be part of a friendly and welcoming team

• Gain a better understanding of the research process – including designing and conducting survey research in the real world

• Learn how to effectively interpret survey data and how to connect findings to current events

• Gain access to network connections and career mentoring

• Get the opportunity to publish your own spotlight analyses on PRRI’s website

Schedule:

Summer interns are generally expected to work a full 40-hour week during regular office hours, although there is flexibility. Interns should expect to work from the office for two days per week, with remote work for the remaining days. A transportation stipend will be provided as needed.

PRRI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Curatorial/Exhibitions Internship

Washington, D.C.

Hybrid, full-time position

The selected intern will work with Eleanor Harvey, Senior Curator, and Jill Rothschild, Luce Curatorial Fellow on the reinstallation of the 18th and 19th century galleries, and the re-envisioning of the Luce Center (the museum’s visible storage space).The intern will be an integral part of those projects: brainstorming for themes and developing priority lists for the artworks in each space; attending meetings with the museum’s Native American community engagement colleagues, and beginning to develop the interpretive framework for addressing this moment in the museum's permanent galleries.

Qualifications:Familiarity with 19th and early 20th century American art history and history.Advanced research skills (library, archive, online searches)Experience with community engagement and/or museum interpretation preferred.

Society for Woman's Health Research, Communications and Policy Internship

Washington, D.C.

Remote or in-person (up to intern), full-time position ABOUT SWHR

As recently as the 1990s, women were routinely excluded from medical research and there was a profound lack of awareness that health conditions and treatments can affect women and men differently. The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) led the way to making women’s health a national priority, forever changing how medical research is conducted. SWHR is a 30-year-old education and advocacy nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. A highly respected thought leader in promoting research on biological sex differences in disease, SWHR is dedicated to improving women’s health through science, policy, and education.

Position Summary:

The communications and policy intern will support efforts across SWHR’s science, policy, and communications departments to support SWHR’s mission to promote research on biological sex differences in disease and improve women’s health through its science, policy, and education work as well as to increase the impact and influence of SWHR’s work.

From a communications capacity, the intern can expect to support the drafting and implementation of communications plans to promote SWHR’s events and resources; conduct outreach to peer organizations and media outlets about SWHR materials; update the SWHR website; draft content for SWHR social media channels; write blog posts; monitor media channels and compile regular coverage roundups; and provide graphic design assistance, as needed.

The intern will also support SWHR’s policy work. This may entail attending coalition meetings or congressional hearings; developing fact sheets, policy comments, letters, or testimony; coordinating logistics for policy events, such as webinars and virtual Hill briefings; conducting research on legislative and regulatory topics of relevance; tracking legislation; and other duties, as assigned.

Essential Responcibilities:

  • Develop communications products, such as blog posts, fact sheets,
  • Support maintenance and upkeep of SWHR website
  • Draft messages for SWHR social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  • Monitor traditional media and social media for relevant news about SWHR and its scientific and legislative priorities
  • Monitor ongoing policy issues and update SWHR’s legislative tracker
  • Assist in development of email blasts about SWHR events and news and conduct outreach to partner organizations
  • Attend SWHR events and partner events such as meetings, webinars, and Capitol Hill briefings, as needed
  • Conduct research and support writing efforts related to SWHR’s regulatory and legislative needs
  • Work with other SWHR staff to ensure unified communications on behalf of the organization
  • Complete other communications, policy, and administrative activities as assigned
  • Represent SWHR’s mission to improve upon the lack of women’s health research through supporting advancements in public policy, health care interventions, and gaps in research

Qualifications:

  • Undergraduate student (who has completed their sophomore year) working toward a degree in communications, public relations, or another relevant subject
  • Basic knowledge of S. federal government and interest in U.S. health care policy
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Experience with social media platforms and management
  • Highly organized with ability to multitask
  • Familiarity with WordPress website platform is a plus
  • Knowledge of design software such as the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign) or Canva preferred

U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Historian, Washington D.C.

Research Externship

Hybrid full-time position-

For a hybrid schedule, intern must be available  to work 2-3 days on-site per week.

Based at the U.S. Capitol, the Office of the Historian preserves, collects, and interprets the heritage of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as the institution’s memory and a resource for Members, staff, and the general public.

The Office of the Historian seeks an extern with a strong interest in history or political science, writing and research. The extern will conduct congressional research through the use of databases, microfilm, and paper records. This research will be used for office print and web publications as well as reference requests. The extern will assist staff with general office duties. The intern must be highly motivated, collaborative, and possess excellent research and computer skills.

Assignments will be distributed via Google shared folders so students will require a Gmail account. Office staff will communicate with students via email and Zoom during the externship. Students should have access to most of these electronic resources for completing assignments:

  • HeinOnline database (specifically “U.S. Federal” portion);
  • Nexis;
  • Nineteenth Century Newspapers (via Gale databases)
  • Proquest Congressional

Interns may assist with the following tasks, including:

  • historical and biographical research
    • educational content creation and outreach
    • archival and object processing
    • object, photo, and record preservation
    • curatorial content creation
    • other special projects as assigned

       

Winterthur Museum, Gardens and Library, Academic Programs Intern

About Winterthur: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (http://www.winterthur.org) supports interdisciplinary humanities research related to America’s material past in a global context. Winterthur’s diverse collections include tens of thousands of objects, manuscripts, printed materials, and research resources that have been mined regularly by scores of leading humanities scholars throughout the last seventy years.

Winterthur is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in a 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here, as well as in permanent and changing exhibition galleries.

Designed by Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur’s 60-acre naturalistic garden is among America’s best, with magnificent specimen plantings and mass displays of color. The estate is set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands.

Interns at Winterthur enjoy an environment that is rich in culture and natural beauty while contributing specific skills and upholding the core values of the organization.

About the Academic Programs Department Internship: This is an excellent opportunity for an intern interested in history, museums, libraries, or other aspects of material culture to be immersed in the exciting and dynamic Academic Programs Department which includes Winterthur Portfolio, the Research Fellowship Program, and two graduate programs, WPAMC and WUDPAC. Interns at Winterthur will gain experience in gathering data and creating content and marketing materials related to the Visiting Research Fellowship Program; will interact with and assist a cohort of global scholars, artists, and craftspeople studying material culture; and depending on the interests of the intern, may provide general assistance with outreach related to our in-house journal, the Winterthur Portfolio.

The intern will get hands-on training and hone skills in editing, research, and communications with the staff of Winterthur’s research fellowship program. Winterthur’s Research Fellowship Program awards 25-35 fellowships each year to academics, graduate students, artists, makers, and craftspeople to support collections-based research for exhibits, books, art installations, and much more. Duties will include assisting staff in organizing colloquia, interfacing with researchers, gathering annual data and project information from fellows, coordinating social media posts to publicize the program and its activities, and other duties as assigned.

Winterthur’s in-house academic journal, Winterthur Portfolio, is an interdisciplinary journal of American material culture. As time allows and if interests of the intern align, they may be involved with preparing social media related to recent and forthcoming issues of WP, reading and evaluating manuscripts, and other duties as assigned. This internship is ideal for students who have an interest or background in the humanities or social sciences and/or writing and communications. It is also geared towards students who are looking to get firsthand museum experience in a fun but intellectually rigorous setting. This internship is ideal for students who like to work independently, are creative, and enjoy research, meeting a wide range of people, and learning new things.

Maryland State Archives

Staff Researcher Native Americans in the Chesapeake

In-person, full-time position 

The Maryland State Archives is seeking an intern to serve as a staff researcher for our project relating to Native Americans in the Chesapeake region. This project seeks to improve access to records documenting an underserved population of nearly 60,000 people with American Indian heritage who live in Maryland. The intern will examine colonial records of Maryland and extract the names of people and places for our project website, Mayis. The search tool of the Mayis website provides information resources for and about tribal communities within Maryland. Mayis is as an educational pathway for teachers and historians, as well as a user-friendly experience for youth and adults to learn about their heritage.  

The intern will conduct research using eighteenth-century records in the Archives’ holdings to locate information in English documents about many topics, such as contact and conflict between settlers and Indigenous people and land ownership and disputes. The intern will also write biographies of members of the American Indian communities around the Chesapeake to be published online, utilizing a wide range of primary and secondary sources. Biographies will document the men and women of both early and modern Indigenous communities. 

The intern will be invited to write social media posts about the project, historical topics, biographical subjects they discover while doing their research. Also, they will be included in educational programming throughout the summer to gain a well-rounded understanding of all the divisions of the Archives. 

The Maryland State Archives serves as the central depository for government records of permanent value. Its holdings date from Maryland's founding in 1634, and include colonial and state executive, legislative, and judicial records; county probate, land, and court records; church records; business records; state publications and reports; and special collections of private papers, maps, photographs, and newspapers.  

Maryland State Archives

Rainbow Books Digital Intern

In-person, full-time position  

 

Maryland State Archives, in partnership with the Society of Cincinnati of Maryland, is digitizing all of the records in their collection known as the Rainbow Books and posting them online for public access. These volumes contain over 7,800 documents, a substantial portion of the Archives’ colonial and Revolutionary-era records, called the Rainbow Books because they were originally covered in different colored bindings. These books include the following series of the Maryland State Papers:  Black books series [MSA S987], Blue books series [MSA S990], Brown books series [MSA S991], Red books series [MSA S989], and Executive Portfolio series [MSA S992]. Placing images online will create a tremendously valuable historical resource and this work is a key component of the Archives’ commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.   

 

The first step in providing access to the digital records once scanned is creating item-level descriptions in the Archives’ catalog, The Guide to Government Records.  The goal of this summer’s internship is to continue the work begun in 2023, by adding entries for the books which are partially listed in the Guide.  Having individual item entries in the Guide for each document will allow users to locate the scanned records with greater ease.  In addition to inventorying the records, the intern will be invited to write social media posts about the project, historical topics, biographical subjects they discover while processing the collection. Also, they will be included in educational programming throughout the summer to gain a well-rounded understanding of all the divisions of the Archives.   

 

The Maryland State Archives serves as the central depository for government records of permanent value. Its holdings date from Maryland's founding in 1634, and include colonial and state executive, legislative, and judicial records; county probate, land, and court records; church records; business records; state publications and reports; and special collections of private papers, maps, photographs, and newspapers.  

Hagley Museum and Library – Wilmington, DE

Archival Research Internship | In-Person (Hybrid Potential) | Full Time Position

The Archival Research Intern at the Hagley Museum and Library will produce content in support of Hagley’s institutional initiatives to highlight our rich collections on women’s contributions to business and technology in the American and Atlantic Worlds. They will work closely with the Library Coordinator and the Reference Services Department to gain hands-on experience with historical collections research, archival resource creation, document digitization, and history writing for a broad audience.

Goals & Outcomes

  • Conduct original archival research based on the American Women’s History subject guide
  • Produce a related subject guide on one of the following topics:
    • French Women in the Atlantic World (French language skills required)
    • Women in American enterprise
    • Women’s organizations
  • Contribute an article to the Hagley Collections & Research Newsletter
  • Assist the Library Coordinator with identifying recent acquisitions related to women’s history

Requirements

  • Currently enrolled as an undergraduate in history, French studies, American studies, gender studies, or related studies. Preference will be given to candidates with an interest in pursuing careers in archives and libraries.
  • Effective communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledgeable of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Able to meet deadlines and work well as part of a team
  • Flexible and able to work with minimal supervision.
  • Professional with keen attention to detail

The Archival Research Intern position is a temporary, full-time opportunity. A maximum of 300 hours may be worked across 10 weeks, concluding in mid-August. The internship is onsite in Wilmington, DE, so the intern must have reliable transportation. Partial remote work will be considered on an individual basis.

About Hagley

Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers' community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.

Hagley's library furthers the study of business and technology in America. The collections include individuals' papers and companies' records ranging from eighteenth-century merchants to modern telecommunications and illustrate the impact of the business system on society. Hagley Library is a proud member of the prestigious Independent Research Libraries Association (IRLA). Click here for more information about the Library.

Hagley Museum and Library seeks to inspire all people to be innovative in their own lives through investigation and exploration of our historical collections, original DuPont powder yards, and online resources.

For more information on Hagley’s collections, visit research.hagley.org

Hagley Museum and Library, Curatorial Intern

Wilmington, DE

Hagley Museum’s Curatorial Department is seeking a summer intern to assist with a museum interpretation project focusing on a redesign of the guidebooks within Eleutherian Mills, the ancestral home of the du Pont family. The guidebooks include detailed information about the objects on display in each room of the home. Objects include, but are not limited to, ceramics, metals, textiles, paintings, and furniture.

The intern will compare room inventories from the museum’s collection management database to the current guidebooks, reconciling discrepancies when appropriate. The intern will also enter data into object records within the museum collections database from the guidebooks. Working with the Curator of Collections, the intern will assist in brainstorming a new design for the guidebooks.

The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail and general interest in databases, metadata, and museum collections management and interpretation.  

Candidates should be able to fulfill this commitment in Wilmington, DE, with their own transportation. Hybrid work is an option, schedule to be determined between candidate and supervisor.

Hagley Museum and Library is located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware. Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers' community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family. The museum holds approximately 70,000 objects in its collection, ranging from du Pont family and DuPont Company items to 19th century United States patent models.

For more information on Hagley Museum, please visit www.hagley.org.    

Application Instructions for 2024 

Applications for the 2024 Explore America Summer Internships will open on January 25th and close on February 15th, 2024. The complete list of participating institutions will be available soon. 

A completed application includes:

1. An information sheet, available to download here during the open application period. It must include a list of desired internships in order of preference. You may be considered for multiple positions and are encouraged to list several opportunities on your Info Sheet. The Info Sheet also asks you to give the contact information for 3 references (two of which must be Washington College faculty).  

Download Info Sheet Here

2. A "Letter of Interest" that describes, in some detail, your strengths, interests, and experiences. Be sure to explain how the summer internships you are most interested in will help you to achieve your goals, your career aspirations, and how they connect to your academic work.

3. A resume. 

4. A copy of your Washington College transcript (Student Self Service copies are acceptable). 

Completed applications - with all documents presented in a single PDF or Word document - should be emailed  to [email protected].


Eligibility

Students from a wide variety of majors are encouraged to apply. The Starr Center will consider applications from former interns, however applicants must articulate how the second internship would build on the previous one, rather than simply being a repetition. Most positions are open to students of all class years, including graduating seniors, although preference is given to sophomores and above.

Compensation

Stipends for selected interns will be dependent upon a position being full- or -part-time status, up to a maximum of $6,000. These funds may be used to cover living expenses during the internship period or spent/saved at the recipient’s discretion.

Availability

The 2024 internship listings include experiences that are remote, in-person, or hybrid (virtual work with limited in-person days or experiences). Please select your preferences accordingly. Selected interns will arrange their start/end dates directly with their host institutions. Most institutions have some flexibility in scheduling, although a few will need their interns to report for work during a specified period of the summer. 

Obligations

Recipients are required to complete a survey and evaluation of their summer experience, to attend a dinner with the fellowship donors, and give an oral presentation on campus the following fall. Academic credit for these internships may be available on an individual basis.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee looking for exceptional ability and commitment, excellent academic record, pronounced interest in/knowledge of subject area, strong oral and written communication skills, demonstrated maturity, and reliability. The Starr Center will notify applicants if they have been selected for a position in early March. Positions are filled on a rolling basis.  Some students made be notified before others.  Please be patient as we work to provide the best match for both the host institution and the student.  Thank you.

The number of students selected as interns will depend on donor support and other factors. The Starr Center will work to place interns in one of their preferred positions, although we cannot guarantee that each intern will ultimately be matched with one of their top choices.

For more information about specific positions, questions about the application process, or any other questions about the Explore America Summer Internship program, please contact:

Chrissy Sinatra 
Assistant Director for Communications & Outreach
The Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience
[email protected]