Internships

The Collections Management Intern is directly responsible for completing various tasks including:

• Inventorying collections objects and verifying storage locations.

• Assess completion of object record data. Create condition reports as needed.

• Photographing objects and processing images for publication on the PastPerfect web-edition database.

• Organizing and digitizing accession files and catalog cards associated with collections objects.

• Rehouse objects in custom storage containers and cavity mounts with archival quality materials.

• Practice safe object handling.

• Adhering to the artifact catalog standards for archaeological sites in the Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ online database, PastPerfect Web-Edition.

• Participate in weekly seminars and other personal and professional development activities, including field trips, field work assignments, and final internship symposium.

Ideal candidate is a bright, self-motivated advanced undergraduate or graduate student with attention to detail and experience working with museum collections. Applicants interested in cultural heritage and institutional history collections are preferred. They should be open to exploring the intersection of technology and preservation to make the Museum’s collections available online. Experience with collections management systems (CMS) software is not required, but preferred. The ability to work independently is crucial to the successful completion of this internship.

Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (21 hours/week) Monday through Friday 9am - 5pm with occasional weekend events required.

This is an unpaid internship. Housing and academic credit are available. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements, and credit fees with their university.

• Learn to construct garments from individual measurements to final fitting and finishing with guidance from Historical Clothing & Textiles Manager;

• Assist in the maintenance of wardrobe pieces for the 17th-Century English Village including mending, laundry, inventory tracking, ordering supplies, participating in fittings, etc.

• Assist with public programming and projects as needed (summer camp program, special events, retail projects, knitting group);

• As requested, participate in professional development activities, including field trips or any final presentations.

The ideal candidate will have experience with operating sewing machinery - ideally industrial - as well as hand stitching skills, familiarity with textile vocabulary, and knowledge of or interest in 17th-century history. A successful candidate for this position will also be an enthusiastic, self-starter with good communication skills and a willingness to learn and work as part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary living history team. All candidates must provide either a PDF or link to a work portfolio.

Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (21 hours/week) Monday through Friday 9am - 5pm with occasional weekend events required.

This is an unpaid internship. Housing and academic credit are available. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements, and credit fees with their university.

The Museum Administration intern will gain experience in the logistical side of museums by participating in various tasks including:

• Researching, purchasing, and following through on items and services based on the needs of the living history sites.

• Developing visual and literary content for the Research and Public Engagement department’s weekly internal newsletter.

• Assisting with public programming events and projects as needed.

• Communicating with staff across different departments to ensure smooth execution of relevant projects.

• Collaborate with fellow staff members to design and produce an exhibit displaying an aspect of the Museum’s institutional history as part of the internship’s major project

• Responding quickly and appropriately to sudden changes at the living history sites, adjusting immediate priorities to solve any pressing issues.

• As requested, participate in professional development activities, including field trips or any final presentations.

The ideal candidate will be bright, self-motivated, dynamic, and energetic. They will be able to change gears quickly as the need arises and possess a love of teamwork and collaboration. Also, they should have a desire to jump in and help where needed. The successful candidate will be willing to “roll up their sleeves” and dive into the variety of projects and tasks in which they will be asked to participate. This internship should particularly appeal to students of or interested in Museum Studies and Public History programs. Candidates should have a willingness to learn through participation and by asking questions to deepen understanding as well as an outgoing personality with good communication skills.

Full-time (35 hours/week). A flexible schedule is required. Occasional evening and weekend events may be required.

This is an unpaid internship. Housing and academic credit are available. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements, and credit fees with their university.

• Engage guests in conversations about the history of the 17th-century Atlantic world by meeting guests where they are, and thoughtfully guiding their learning.

• Portray a resident of 1620s Plymouth Colony, including wearing historical reproduction clothing, speaking in an Early Modern English dialect, and demonstrating 17th-century English lifeways.

• Work with the Museum Theater Specialist to develop new programming for the 17th-Century English Village experience.

• Perform daily in a timed, semi-scripted, semi-improvised immersive experience.

• Memorize lines and blocking, and learn relevant historical information in a timely manner.

• Run non-scripted, timed programs demonstrating 17th-century lifeways.

• Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all museum guests and coworkers.

• Attend rehearsals, training sessions and meetings as requested.

• Collaborate with other Public History Performers as part of an ensemble cast.

• Properly use and care for all museum owned materials including historical reproductions, historical clothing, and tools.

The ideal candidate will be an individual with theatrical experience and a desire to engage with the public through hands-on programming. They will be energetic and willing to jump into new tasks with enthusiasm. They will also have interest in non-traditional theater and creative program development. They will display flexibility, curiosity, and the ability to work independently. Experience in various forms of theater (i.e. community theater, university theater programs, etc.) preferred, particularly those who have participated in different roles such as acting, directing, and writing.

Full-time (35 hours/week). A flexible schedule is required. Occasional evening and weekend events may be required.

This is a paid position at a rate of $16.25/hour. Housing and academic credit are available. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements, and credit fees with their university.

• Engage guests in conversations about the history of the 17th-century Atlantic world by meeting guests where they are, and thoughtfully guiding their learning

• Create a hands-on learning environment by involving guests in demonstrations, activities, and programs.

• Conduct research into mid- to late-17th century events and the impacts thereof.

• Collaborate with Museum staff to create and conduct timed programming at a variety of sites.

• Compile findings into a research memo to be presented at the conclusion of the internship in early August

• Learn relevant historical information in a timely manner.

• Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all museum guests and coworkers.

• Properly use and care for all museum owned materials including but not limited to historical reproductions, historical clothing, training materials, voice amplification devices, research materials, and tools

The ideal candidate will be a quick learner with good communication skills, both written and verbal. They will possess the ability to engage with guests of all ages and contribute to an environment of education. This internship should particularly appeal to students in public history, museum studies, anthropology, history, or education programs. Positivity in the face of uncomfortable conditions is also important, as a majority of the work takes place outdoors in all weather. The ability to work independently is greatly preferred.

Full-time (35 hours/week). A flexible schedule is required. Occasional evening and weekend events may be required.

This is a paid position at a rate of $15.25/hour. Housing and academic credit are available. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements, and credit fees with their university.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums accepts applications from college-level freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as graduate students. We also accept applications from recent graduates and people making a career change. Our internships are unique opportunities to work alongside skilled, professional museum staff.

Yes, housing for interns may be available in the Museum's Center for 17th-Century Studies residence.

We offer paid and unpaid positions, depending on the internship, as specified in each internship description. Course credit is also available if needed. Please see below for more information about stipends and course credit as it relates to internships. We advise that students also work with their advisor and university to apply for intern stipends offered through their college.

A personal vehicle is strongly recommended, although the town of Plymouth does offer affordable public transportation provided by the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company (known as G.A.T.R.A). This is a bus service with diverse schedules and stops. Please note that this service can be limited. A bus stop is located at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The Museum offers interns complimentary parking.

Interns at Plimoth Patuxet receive free admission to all of our museum sites, as well as discounts in the Museum store and café. We also have a great reciprocity agreement with several New England museums and institutions so you can visit them for free (or for a reduced rate) while you are an intern.

Most internships run approximately 9-10 weeks and are full-time. We also offer some part-time internship opportunities. Certain internship opportunities also may require evening and weekend attendance.

Application deadlines are listed along with the internship descriptions. If there is a position on the site that interests you, please submit your materials in a timely manner, as many positions fill quickly.

All applicants who send their materials by email will receive an email confirmation. Applicants who send materials by mail may follow up by email or phone. Please understand that due to a large number of applications received, we are not able to provide ongoing personal status updates to each candidate. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted, and positions will be removed from the website once they have been filled.

Yes, as long as your educational institution allows it. Students are responsible for all paperwork, arrangements and credit fees.

Yes, as long as your educational institution allows it. We can work with students who wish to use their work-study or internship stipends from their school. Students are responsible for all paperwork.

Yes. International students are responsible for making all appropriate arrangements with their universities or home countries and internship program sponsors regarding travel permits and/or visas. Please visit the US State Department's J-1 Visa website for additional information.