Virginia and its neighboring states are home to a considerable number of public history sites, many of which offer internships for undergraduate and graduate students in the summer and during the school year. Most of these internships are unpaid. An unpaid internship can be an excellent way to gain work experience and exposure to the public history field. This page compiles links to some of the many historic homes, museums, libraries, archives, and public history organizations that students interested in seeking an unpaid internship might consider. Check back often as we will continue to add opportunities as we discover them.

Please bear in mind that each organization listed below has its own internship application process and deadline. Read each website carefully for these details. For organizations which do not have formalized internship programs, please send a professionally-worded inquiry to the email address provided.

Some unpaid opportunities include:

 

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia: Richmond, VA

Located in the historic Jackson Ward district of Richmond, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia "seeks to become a permanent repository for visual, oral and written records and artifacts commemorating the lives and accomplishments of Blacks in Virginia" through its exhibitions, educational programs, and celebrations.

Students interested in internships may contact the museum manager, Mary Lauderdale, at mclauderdale.bhm@gmail.com

Website: www.blackhistorymuseum.org

 

Charlottesville's Dialogue on Race: Charlottesville, VA

The Dialogue on Race in Charlottesville is seeking a responsible undergraduate or graduate student intern who can devote 10-15 hours/week to assist with varied elements of the DOR's work.

This community-wide endeavor has engaged local residents, including University students, staff and faculty, in an on-going discussion to better understand each other, our backgrounds, our history, our perceptions and how past actions continue to affect life in Charlottesville today.

The Dialogue is now focusing on work groups and action teams in the categories of Economics, Education, Government, and Social/Cultural. You will work directly with the Dialogue's coordinator, Ms. Charlene Green, who in turn reports to the Charlottesville City Manager Maurice Jones. Duties will include recording for action and steering meetings, helping organize events, updating the web site, and related work as may be needed.

Up to two such interns will be selected and paid by the University and Community Action for Racial Equity, which is coordinating this effort and supporting with a grant provided by the Andrus Family Fund.

To apply, please prepare a letter of interest, a resume highlighting organizing and diversity facilitation experience, and three academic or work-related references. Applications are due to Charlene Green at greenc@charlottesville.org by Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Please direct any questions about the position to Ms. Green.

Website: www.charlottesville.org/dialogue

 

Elegba Folklore Society: Richmond, VA

Located in Richmond, The Elegba Folklore Society explores African and African American history, folklore, and art through exhibitions, folk life celebrations, and performances. The Society also leads guided heritage tours along the trail of enslaved Africans and of other noteworthy sites in Richmond. Interns will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of substantive, meaningful projects and to engage with the community.

Students interested in internships may contact the director, Janine Bell, at jaybee@efsinc.org

Website: http://efsinc.org/

 

Grey Towers National Historic Site: Milford, PA

Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, PA, ancestral home of conservationist and Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot, has from 1 to 5 student intern positions to serve 12-week internships from May-October. Students will live on the estate of this 1886-mansion and be immersed in the history of forestry in America. They will have an opportunity to learn and improve skills in such areas as interpretation, public speaking, communication, research and related programs. Students of forestry, environmental, history, art, interpretive/recreation or museum studies programs are sought.

Students interested in internships should download the internship description and application information from this link, and should send a letter of interest to Lori McKean, Assistant Director for Programs and Communication Grey Towers National Historic Site, PO Box 188, Milford, PA, 18337, or by email to greytowers@fs.fed.us Letters should include a brief description of how this internship fits with your skills, background and career goals, what you can contribute to and hope to achieve from the experience and how the Forest Service can help you further develop or learn new skills. Please attach (or send separately if submitting electronically) a copy of your transcript, resume and 2 letters of recommendation. Internships can span any period, May through October. Deadline is March 1 for summer months and June 1 for fall. Personal interviews are helpful but not required.

Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/gt/

 

The Jewish Museum of Maryland: Baltimore, MD

Interning with the Jewish Museum of Maryland is a dynamic, interesting, educational, and fun experience. JMM summer internships are full time for ten weeks and include a modest stipend. All summer interns at the JMM participate in professional development workshops, attend field trips, and contribute to the museum’s blog.  Free parking is provided. Housing is not provided. Orientation for the summer internship program will be held on Monday June 4, 2012. There are internships available in archives, collections, development, exhibitions, oral history, and archaeology. For a full description of the available internships, please review this document.

Students interested in internships may contact Jobi Zink at jzink@jewishmuseummd.org

Website: http://www.jewishmuseummd.org/

 

Lynchburg Museum: Lynchburg, VA

The Lynchburg museum system, which includes the Lynchburg Museum and Point of Honor, the elegant Federal-style home built by Dr. George Cabell in 1815, chronicles the events and individuals that shaped Central Virginia. The museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts from Lynchburg's history, including toys, furnishings, firearms, and art.

Students interested in internships may contact the Museum Educator, Rachel Deddens, at rachel.deddens@lynchburgva.gov

Websites: www.lynchburgmuseum.org and www.pointofhonor.org

 

Student PIRGs Internship Program: Various locations, VA

Student PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups) organize college students to solve some of the world's most pressing public interest problems. The PIRGs are independent statewide student organizations that work on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, and hunger and homelessness. For nearly 40 years students working with their campus PIRG chapters have been making a real difference in people's lives and winning concrete changes to build a better world. The Student PIRGs internship program allows students to learn skills and get valuable experience working on one of their campaigns. Interns learn how to build teams of volunteers, organize events on campus, and work with the media. This fall, Student PIRGs are working to support National Parks, to make campuses and communities more sustainable, stop students from being ripped off by outrageous textbook prices, and demand that National Geographic clean up its polluted paper mill and start printing its magazine on recycled paper.

Students interested in internships may fill out the automated form located here to receive more information and application.

Website: http://www.studentpirgs.org/home