Research, Collections & Exhibits Curatorial Internship
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience in the care and management of historic collections, manuscripts, and archives. The intern will work closely with the curatorial and library staff on a variety of projects which may include: inventory and cataloging, preventive care of objects, exhibit installation, pest management, digitization, archival processing, public programming, writing and publishing opportunities, rehousing of archival materials, developing finding aids for manuscript and research assistance.
Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided.
In return for meeting these requirements, the intern will receive $2,000. The selection process will be competitive, with preference given to students or recent graduates with previous experience in museum studies coursework and/or working with historic objects and/or exhibits. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Paul and Barbara Rogers Horticulture Internship (Program Internship)
Old Sturbridge Village is seeking a Garden Intern to work in OSV’s Horticulture program. As a living history site dedicated to the history of early 19th-century rural New England, a major component of OSV’s mission is its commitment to showing horticulture and the importance of gardens in 19th-century life. Working as a historic gardener will entail using all aspects of the Museum’s multiple gardens as educational tools to make meaningful connections with our visitors.
19th-century gardening includes bed preparation, sowing seed, thinning, pest management, weeding, watering, harvesting, and seed saving (of both vegetables and flowers). This will involve working in costume using 19th-century techniques.
Horticulture interns will spend time conducting research on indigenous and locally grown plants and their uses. This research will culminate into a completed project to be shared with visitors and staff.
All interns will be provided general training in the museum’s time period and in the area(s) to which they’ll be assigned as well as in visitor engagement and customer service.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday.
Historical Interpretation Internship (Program Internship)
At Old Sturbridge Village, a Historical Interpreter engages and educates our audience. S/he uses historic clothing, structures, plants, animals, and landscape as well as the tools and techniques of early trades, agriculture, horticulture and domestic crafts to make meaningful connections with the present. Historical Interpreters help visitors gain insights into their modern world and a better understanding of it by conveying aspects of its origins in early 19th century rural New England.
Depending on the museum’s needs, college interns will have the opportunity to work in various trades and occupations, including: Farming, Dairying, Blacksmithing, Gardening, Hearth Cooking, Shoe Making, Sewing, Pottery, portraying a school keeper and more.
All interns will be provided general training in the museum’s time period and in the area(s) to which they’ll be assigned as well as in visitor engagement and customer service.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday
Museum Education Internship (Program Internship)
Under the supervision of the Director of Education and Coordinator of Museum Education, student interns assist with daily operations, program research and development, assist with Old Sturbridge Academy-related classroom programs, and summer program activities including administrative duties, Discovery Adventures camps, and other Museum Education programs. Interns’ duties will be designed around their experience, education, and interests, but first and foremost, based on the Museum Education department’s needs.
Interns will be responsible for the interactive learning experience of children ages 6-17. Interns must be adept at a variety of teaching techniques that are applicable in relating the everyday life of 19th-century New Englanders in a historical museum setting. Interns will be trained to lead youth group inquiry-based historical site tours, group discussions, participatory activities, role playing, and simple craft workshops working in a cooperative teaching environment with fellow teachers.
Requirements:
Successful completion of two years in an undergraduate program with a core concentration in Education, History, Art History, or related field. Must be comfortable and enthusiastic about working directly with children; 1 to 3 years work experience in either a camp, childcare, or educational setting. A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Skype, or in person. Housing may be available for a fee, however transportation is not provided. Contact the OSV Internship Coordinator for more information.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and the museum is open to the public Wednesday – Sunday while administrative departments operate Monday-Friday only. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Only summer internships receive a stipend. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Historical Clothing Internship
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience in the creation, research, and maintenance of clothing for the museum’s costume historians. The intern will work closely with staff in the Historical Clothing office on a variety of projects assisting members of the costume shop office in their daily activities in producing costumes for living history staff which may include inventory management, cleaning, repairs and alterations, creation of new garments, research of historical styles, and/or projects relevant to the intern’s interests.
Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided.
In return for meeting these requirements, the intern will receive $2,000. Preference will be given to students or recent graduates with previous experience in fashion history or costume construction coursework and/or working with historical garments. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, zoom, or in person.
Interpretation: Agriculture Internship (Program Internship)
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience with an educational agriculture program. The intern will work under the supervision of the museum’s Coordinator of Agriculture to develop new and expand existing programs. The scope of work will include sustainable agriculture, heritage breed animals, heirloom apple trees, and heirloom vegetables. The interns’ duties will be designed around their experience, education, and interests, but first and foremost, based on the Museum Program department’s needs. Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided. The intern will have the opportunity to experience the workings of New England’s largest outdoor history museum.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The 40 hour/week work schedule varies based on needs at the farm. The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday (administrative departments operate Monday-Friday only); work schedules vary by department and research days are available.
DEIA Internship (Administrative Internship)
Be the Change: History-Making Internship
Be a part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access work happening at Old Sturbridge Village, Old Sturbridge Academy and Coggeshall Farm Museum in Rhode Island! Apply now. Two positions available. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Deaf, Blind and students with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates would be fluent in both Spanish and English or American Sign Language.
Candidates will participate in the development of DEIA training materials and activities to engage OSV, OSA and Coggeshall Farms staff, board members and students on related topics. Candidates will serve as advisors to the DEIA Director and give feedback on proposed public programs and other materials, as well as assist in various HR projects.
One candidate will coordinate the activities of the DEIA Community Advisory Committee while the other candidate will coordinate the activities of the DEIA Accessibility Advisory Committee.
They will also translate materials for OSV/OSA as part of the DEIA department and serve as an interpreter for the community and staff events. Candidates will also engage in activities to increase their own cultural competencies.
Please check with your school to see if you are eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday (administrative departments typically operate Monday-Friday); work schedules vary by department. The Development Intern must be available to work weekend donor events.
Development Internship (Administrative Internship)
The Development Intern will work closely with the Development staff and participate in all fund-raising efforts. They may assist in the following areas: provide assistance with donor-related events, which include the Annual President’s Award, the Cornerstone Cocktail Party, planning for the Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Federalists’ Dinner; write an article to be published in the Visitor Magazine; research potential corporate and foundation donors; help maintain Development records and help with data projects in Altru (fundraising software); assist with mailings and marketing for Development events and membership program.
The ideal candidate will be well-organized, have strong writing skills, attentive to detail and experienced in MS Word and Excel. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn important skills that will translate into many business-related careers.
Please check with your school to see if you are eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday (administrative departments typically operate Monday-Friday); work schedules vary by department. The Development Intern must be available to work weekend donor events.
Marketing Internship (Administrative Internship)
The Marketing intern will work closely with the Communications (Marketing) staff to produce and support advertising, marketing, and programming materials for the Village, social media efforts, surveys, and data reporting.
The ideal candidate will be ready to work in a fast-paced environment that requires creative thinking, being well-organized, having a strong attention to detail, and an interest in Marketing and communications in general.
Please check with your school to see if you are eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The work day is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday (administrative departments typically operate Monday-Friday); work schedules vary by department. The Development Intern must be available to work weekend donor events.
