African American Museum Collection Digitization Internship with the National Trust for Historic Preservation

PROJECT SUMMARY   

The Shadows-on-the-Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana, is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a former plantation home that shares the story of both wealthy sugar planters and the hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored at the site. Their experiences, as well as those of their descendants, shaped the house’s history and legacy.   

The chosen candidate will assist the Shadows with a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to establish the Community Digitization Resource Center in what is currently the Shadows Visitor Center. The project aims to preserve both the history of the Shadows and Iberia Parish through digitizing various collections of materials and creating a physically and virtually accessible resource for schools, researchers, and family historians. This is a valuable opportunity for students with an interest in US Southern and African American history, fostering digitization and research practices, and working with a vibrant community through a historic facility. 

For this internship, the National Trust is offering a stipend of $1,200/month to help offset expenses. The period of the internship would be from approximately December 12, 2022, to August 25, 2023, for approximately 20 hours per week.  

DUTIES

• Photographing documents and manuscripts
• Scanning and digitizing items from the Shadows’ collections
• Learning and applying preservation techniques
• Rehousing collections items
• Researching and writing about items from the Shadows’ collections in the form of social media posts and/or blog posts.
• Assisting in recording appointments for The IAAHS Center for Research and Learning
• Attending Shadows and Center-related events.  
• Managing condition reports
• Updating current information/ projects for the monitor in the entry way.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO THE INTERN

The intern will gain experience under the mentorship of respected preservation and museum professionals in an educational setting at one of the nation’s leading arts & cultural and non-profit advocacy organizations. The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in educational programming offered via the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s organization-wide internship program. Students may also be eligible for college or graduate school academic credit at the discretion of their institution.

Specifically, the intern will gain knowledge in the following areas:

• Digitizing various materials
• Scanning materials
• Museum collections and policies
• Academic research
• Academic writing
• Public engagement
• Social Media content writing

QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic scanning and digitization skills or able to learn this skillset
• Able to meet the 20 hour a week time commitment
• Basic project-organization skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with key internal and external stakeholders as needed.
• Strong organizational skills required, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and meet deadlines in a timely fashion
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse colleagues
• Proficient computer operating skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required, including Outlook, Word and Excel. Familiarity with other software a plus
• Bachelor’s level studies (or equivalent years of experience) required; current or rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students preferred. Studies or demonstrated interest in the following related subject matter preferred: American History, Southern History, African American History, or Public History.

APPLY HERE