NEW U.VA. INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC HISTORY WILL OFFER SUMMER INTERNSHIPS CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 14 -- The University of Virginia has established an Institute for Public History that will focus on and help coordinate historical studies beyond the classroom and library. Interdisciplinary in scope, institute programs will foster interaction between faculty, public history organizations such as museums and historical sites, the public-at-large, and students in such fields as history, archaeology, anthropology, American studies, art history, architecture, engineering and education, according to director Phyllis Leffler. Based in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the institute has begun sponsoring symposia, internships, community outreach projects and University history projects. Among 1997 projects, in conjunction with regional public history organizations, the institute is offering eight summer internships for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who meet the qualifications specified for each internship. Opportunities exist at several prestigious Virginia public history sites, including Monticello and Jamestown. Unlike at many internship programs, students will be paid to work and learn and can earn up to $3,000 during a 10-week period between mid-May and mid-August, Leffler said. In addition to Monticello and Jamestown, the 30-hour-a-week internships are available at Ash Lawn Highland, Maymont Foundation, the Museum of American Frontier Culture, Alexandria Archaeology, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and the Virginia Historical Society. Internship duties will vary from historical research and field work to planning exhibit and education programs. Interested applicants can pick up application materials from Phyllis Leffler, director of the Institute for Public History, 106 Levering Hall. Faculty are urged to alert students to these opportunities. The deadline for completed applications is Jan. 31. Two other major projects focus on U.Va.'s modern history and on the experience of desegregation in Virginia. The ongoing University history project, begun in 1995 as an outgrowth of the hundredth year commemoration of the Rotunda Fire, focuses on the 20th century history of the University, especially the experiences of early African-American students and women students prior to full co education. Students will be continuing to conduct research through surveys and oral interviews. In conjunction with the Carter G. Woodson Institute, the Institute for Public History also is involved in planning a large scale study of "The Culture of Desegregation in Virginia, 1945-75," focusing on several Virginia communities. ### January 13, 1997 For additional information Phyllis Leffler may be reached at (804) 924-6945, or by e-mail at pkl6h@virginia.edu. Television reporters should call our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.