Spring Internship Opps, Gilder Lehrman Inst (Manhattan)

2017 SPRING INTERNSHIPS

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is offering three spring internships for college and graduate students at the Gilder Lehrman Collection. The positions are set to begin in January or February (depending on availability). Internships are typically unpaid, though interns will be reimbursed for transportation costs to/from their internship; if you have a financial hardship and you would need to be paid, please explain this in your application.

TO APPLY

1. Send a cover letter and resume by email to education@gilderlehrman.org.
2. Ask a teacher or professor to send a recommendation for you by email to education@gilderlehrman.org.
For questions, email education@gilderlehrman.org or call 646-366-9666, ext. 27.

GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

Founded in 1994 by philanthropists Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a New York–based national nonprofit devoted to the teaching and learning of American history. The Institute draws on top scholars, an unparalleled collection of 60,000 original historical documents, and a national network of Affiliate Schools to create a broad range of innovative resources, help new generations of students learn about American history in a way that is engaging and memorable, and promote critical thinking and excellent writing.

ARCHIVAL INTERN

This internship will provide a strong foundation in multiple aspects of the archives profession. Interns will be trained in object handling and processing, and creation of finding aids. Applicants should be considering a career in archives.

Roles and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

• Process and organize student work submitted to the Hamilton Education Program
• Create a filing and preservation system for a large amount of digital material
• Rehouse material based on archival standards
• Create a finding aid
• Create documentation for the process. The Hamilton Education Program is an ongoing multi-year program, and this position will lay the groundwork for processing all future contributions.

Required skills include:

• Enrolled in a graduate-level archives program
• Highly organized with close attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Quick thinker with demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of basic archival standards

Hours: Part Time, Monday–Friday, 10 hours per week | Supervisor: Alinda Borell, Archivist

CURATORIAL INTERN

This internship will provide a strong foundation in multiple aspects of the museum and archives professions. Interns will be trained in object handling, museum education, and cataloging. Applicants should have a strong interest in American history and be considering a career in museum studies or archives.

Roles and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

Collection Management

• Review original documents and compare records to database records
• Update record with new or corrected information
• Attach barcode labels to folders and boxes

Cataloging archival materials

• Organize letter collections
• Read letters and provide a summary description

Required skills include:

• Highly organized with close attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Quick thinker with demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of basic collections care and management practices a plus
• Basic knowledge of PastPerfect collections management software a plus

Hours: Part Time, Monday–Friday, 10 hours per week

Supervisor: Beth Huffer, Curator of Books and Manuscripts

CURATORIAL INTERN FOR PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION
This internship will provide a strong foundation in multiple aspects of the museum and archives professions. Interns will be trained in object handling and PastPerfect collections management software. Applicants should have a strong interest in American history.

Roles and Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):

• Review discrete collections of Civil War photographs
• Create location guides for Civil War photographs
• Create condition reports for Civil War photographs as needed
• Review database records and supplemental historical research to correct or add to existing database records of Civil War photographs

Required skills include:

• Highly organized with close attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Quick thinker with demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated academic research skills

Hours: Part Time, Monday–Friday, 10 hours per week
Supervisor: Beth Huffer, Curator of Books and Manuscripts