June brings warm weather to Washington, yes, but also a welcome influx of interns and volunteers to the Historical Society!
This week and next, HSW will welcome the 2014 summer cohort, including interns from the University of Maryland’s library science program and American University’s public history program, and volunteers from AU and the University of Michigan.
Interns are enrolled in accredited graduate programs working towards a degree in library and information science, museum studies, public history, history or related field, and fulfill specific requirements in order to receive course credit for their work. Grad students with more limited availability, and college students in similar fields, are welcomed as volunteers.
The entire summer cohort receive resume reviews, attend repository tours at institutions throughout the city, and make professional contacts as they complete projects on behalf of the Historical Society. Last summer we arranged incredible behind-the-scenes experiences with the Curator of Graphic Arts at the Supreme Court and the head archivist of the National Museum of the American Indian; this summer we’ve scheduled reciprocal tours with the Archives Center of the National Museum of American History, among others. Visits to HSW partner institutions, such as GWU’s Gelman Library and DCPL’s Washingtoniana, are also on the list.
Specific projects to be tackled this summer include the continued inventory of the Capitol Photo Service collection (you can read more about that project through the Spring Breakers who came from Michigan & Maryland a few months ago); making progress on a series of exhibit loans to the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum; continuing the collaboration on the National Building Museum’s “Investigating Where We Live,” program; and assisting with the on-going objects inventory.
Stay tuned for project updates throughout the summer!