Internship Diary: Ethan Knick at the James Monroe Museum (’20)

Ethan Knick on siteOver the past two semesters, I have had the honor to intern at the James Monroe Museum as part of the Albert J. Bowley scholarship program. As I intend to enter the field of public history after graduation, interning a such reputable museum with such an incredible collection (the largest collection of Monroe artifacts in the world) has been an invaluable learning experience. During my time at the museum, I worked with staff on projects related to education, interpretation, exhibit preparation, research, collections management, archival work, and digital history. Thus, it would be impossible for me to relate all of my experiences on this website. However, here are brief overviews of two projects to highlight my experience.

Ethan Knick in costume at the museum siteThis semester, the James Monroe Museum worked with historian Joann Freeman to produce a short internet documentary film about the troubled relationship between Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe, who almost dueled each other in 1797 over a dispute involving the infamous Hamilton-Reynolds Affair. In preparation for shooting the film, I documented provenience on several Hamilton family documents in the museum’s collection and helped to write interview questions for Dr. Freeman. Later on, I appeared in the film itself, which you can view here.

I also had the opportunity to work on an upcoming exhibit focusing on the hundreds of enslaved laborers owned by James and Elizabeth Monroe during their lifetime. For the most part, I conducted research to find any possible information on the lives of these individuals. While information was scarce, I did uncover the stories of several people. For instance, Thena Hemmings became one of James Monroe’s most trusted enslaved servants before tragically passing away at an early age, leaving behind several children. Discovering and bringing to light the stories of individuals like Hemmings proved to be challenging and saddening, but ultimately rewarding.

 

Cultural History Fellowship – Virginia Outdoors Foundation

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is seeking candidates for a Cultural History Fellowship position based at their Bull Run Mountains Preserve in Fauquier/Prince William counties. The position will perform research about the diverse people who once called the mountains home. For more details and to apply online, please visit https://www.vof.org/jobs/. Students or recent graduates are welcome to apply.

Full description is at : https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/270748/Virginia-Outdoors-Foundation/Fellow

Summer Internship (Paid) — Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative

Application Deadline: March 15, 2020 or when 350 applications are received (please see details below)


This summer, be a part of a transformational experience that goes beyond just another internship. Through hands-on activities and original research, you will contribute to a national effort to share a diversity of women’s voices from the past and present. You will learn to use unique tools for civic engagement and representation in museum and other community spaces. You will develop familiarity and experience with museum practice and American women’s history.

Who? Undergraduate and recent graduates with a commitment to women’s history

What? Eight-week long cohort internship experience, with paid group housing, reimbursable travel to and from Washington D.C., and a weekly $382.50 stipend. The total value of this internship, including the weekly stipend and the paid group housing, is $6300 (not including travel reimbursement).

Where?  Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

When? June 14 – August 8, 2020

Why? Opportunity to explore various career paths, networks, leadership and mentorship experiences, and build practical professional skills.

Application deadline: Be advised that this application will close on will close at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on either: (A) Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time or (B) The date that 350 applications are received; whichever occurs first. If the announcement closes on the date that 350 applications are received, all applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time that day will be given consideration, including those in excess of 350.

See this link for full info and application instructions: https://womenshistory.si.edu/news/2020/02/paid-summer-internship-application-now-open

George C. Marshall International Center Internships

The George C. Marshall International Center, a non-profit historic house museum in Leesburg, VA, is seeking student interns for summer 2020.

A Museum Collections Intern and an Education Intern position are both offered. For full internship descriptions, including required education and experience, start dates, and related duties, as well as application requirements and materials, see attached files below.

Collections Intern

Education Intern

 

Mount Vernon Historic Trades Summer Internship

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is now accepting applications for its Historic Trades Summer Internship. This internship provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to become immersed in 18th-century history, agriculture, and industry. Deadline: Applications due by February 14, 2020

Eligibility: This program is open to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college as of May 31, 2020 and will not have graduated as of May 31, 2020.

Benefits: This is a paid internship, and interns receive reimbursement for travel expenses to and from Mount Vernon. The Historic Trades department generally takes interns on two field trips to historic sites in the region.

Requirements: Applicants must be able to –

  • Work the entire 10-week internship period of May 31 through August 8, 2020.
  • Greet and talk with numerous guests of all ages.
  • Work outdoors in hot and humid weather.
  • Perform rigorous physical activity, including demonstrating 18th-century farming methods, field work, and milling/distilling.
  • Work in a dusty environment.
  • Lift and carry 50 pounds.
  • Work with 18th-century tools and implements.
  • Conduct hands-on activities.

Application Site / More Information: See this link

Internship Opportunity: Federal Reserve Board

The Federal Reserve Board has an opening for a summer intern in the Records Management Program. The internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. See below for the official description. The link to the Federal Job Search site at which the official announcement can be found is at the bottom of this description:

Records Management Intern Summer 2019 (OSEC)-21162
Primary Location: DC-Washington
Employee Status: Temporary
Overtime Status: Non-exempt
Job Type: Internship
Travel: No
Shift: Day Job
Years of Experience Required: 0
Education Required: Some College
Relocation Provided: No
Salary Grade Low: 20
Posting Date: Oct 22, 2018

Position Description:
The Records Management Program (RMP) promotes sound records management in support of the Board’s and OSEC’s strategic direction, and in compliance with federal records management laws and regulations. The program creates policies and provides services that result in the proper creation, management, and availability of Board documentation.

Position Requirements
The Records section in the Office of the Secretary of the Federal Reserve Board is seeking a summer intern assist Board staff on records management consulting services and other records management projects:
1. Draft training materials for Rapid Response sessions and the Board’s annual records training program;
2. Participate in records evaluation projects;
3. Draft records control schedules for submission to the National Archives and Records Administration;
4. Review Board SharePoint sites and Reserve Bank FedShare sites that are decommissioning to determine if records contained in the sites are eligible for destruction or should be preserved; and,
5. Manage the Federal Reserve Integrated Records Management Architecture (FIRMA) collections. FIRMA maintains electronic versions of Board records in compliance with legal recordkeeping requirements for federal agencies. Intern will add documents and determine the required metadata to facilitate access and conduct searches for documents to respond to FOIA and general requests.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or application, membership, or service in the uniformed services.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/start-job-search.htm

Internship Opportunities (April 2 Deadlines)

dwpndfnx0aaijefSeveral internship opportunities are now available with deadlines soon approaching (4/2).

The Dumbarton House in Georgetown is offering a paid Museum Education Internship opportunity (info here) and a paid Garden Internship Opportunity (info here).

The Dupont-Kaolorama Museums Consortium (DKMC) is also offering an internship (unpaid, academic credit possibility; DKMC-Intern-Summer-2018.pdf) to help with their Walk Weekend in June and with website design and social media.

All three internships have an April 2nd, 2018 deadline. See links above for more.

Image: Bed curtain, c. 1785, from the Dumbarton House collection, shared via their excellent Twitter feed @DumbartonHouse (link)