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Interns and Volunteers

Become a part of our team

Get close to the past by interning or volunteering at Historic New England. Whether you are a student or recent graduate looking for hands-on experience in the archives, museum, and historic preservation fields, or a history buff with skills and time to contribute, Historic New England offers a wide range of opportunities to help save and share our region’s past.

Internships

Overview

The internship program at Historic New England is designed to support those interested in careers in public programs, museum administration, and those interested in museums but are undecided as to a specific subfield of work.

Our internships are designed to replicate a portion of the programming and interpretive work that commonly happens when managing a historic site—the conceptualization and development of historic programs for the public. Interns will gain experience in primary and secondary historical research geared towards a public audience, market research, creative thinking and idea workshopping, and logistical planning in relation to museum and public history programming. They will develop an understanding of what kind of research is needed for interpretation, how this research is conducted, and the various ways this knowledge is transitioned into an educational experience for the public.

Internships are fully remote and research-based. We do not offer any hands-on experience with our archives or collections at this time.

We accept applications year-round and require a minimum of eight hours per week. We have a limited number of positions and so we look for applicants who are a match for the research projects available and who will benefit most from this opportunity.  

Please read through the required qualifications below before submitting your application here.

Locations

Our internships are remote and we welcome applicants from all over the United States.

For those who live in the New England area and wish to conduct their internship at a Historic New England site, our Study Center at the Eustis Estate in Milton, Mass. has dedicated office space for interns. 

Qualifications

We are currently only accepting applications from students enrolled in or newly graduated from a Master’s or P.h.D. program in the fields of public history, museum studies, American studies, American history, art history, art conservation, archival studies, library science, agricultural science, and related fields. 

If you do not meet these qualifications but are still interested in opportunities with Historic New England, please visit our Employment page.

Compensation

Internships are unpaid. However, we try to offer compensation in other forms. We will work with you to find a project that most supports your career and educational goals and can support you in building your resume. 

Career mentorship is also provided through extensive professional development, including (but not limited to) resume and cover letter writing help, understanding the museum field, and advice on navigating the job market. 

Please send any questions to [email protected]

 

Fellowships

The research fellow is a nine-month, term-limited, research-based position available to scholars in the humanities or social sciences. The research fellow will work independently on a topic we have identified as needing focused research attention and will be related to the Eustis Estate, Gilded Age, or other topics supporting the interpretation of architecture, landscape, decorative arts, or social history at Historic New England.

Each round, we will post the topics available and accept applications from scholars at all levels who hold at least a master’s degree and a demonstrated ability to competitively pursue peer-reviewed, academic publication opportunities.

We post for the position each summer to start the following September. When our application portal is open, we will post that information here and on our Employment page.

For questions, contact Dr. Alissa Butler at [email protected]

 

Study Center Philosophy 

The Study Center at the Eustis Estate is dedicated to deepening and furthering our knowledge and understanding of New England’s stories. It is our goal to become the premier place where new areas of research, stories, and interpretation are uncovered, shared with, and made relevant for today’s audiences.  

It is also the vessel in which we invest in the public historians of tomorrow, providing students and scholars with hands-on experiential and research opportunities that support them in their education and career endeavors.   

Volunteers

Volunteer from home! Help transcribe an important collection from the convenience of your own computer.

Or browse the list of Historic New England sites to find a location near you. Then email us at [email protected] and tell us about yourself and your interest in volunteering. Someone from our staff will be in touch with available opportunities as they open up.

Watch volunteers at work at Phillips House

More to Explore

Become a member and help support the preservation of New England heritage.

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Visit Historic New England's museum properties.

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Read past issues of Historic New England magazine.

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