National Park Service

Curatorial intern Elizabeth Conn searches archival photo files.

Museum Collection Intern (Museum Technician) January-April and September-December) 12 week internships, flexible start and end dates. Dormitory housing provided, plus $100.00 weekly stipend.

Student intern will have the opportunity to work with a major National Park Service museum collection. The collection consists largely of archeological material, archives (historical and corporate), and objects on exhibit in our museum (historic structures). There is also a large art collection of material from the 19th through the 20th century. The intern may have the opportunity to complete a self-directed project and also work within the daily operations of the curatorial office following guidance provided by the “National Park Service Museum Handbook,” and staff.

The intern will work directly under the supervision of the museum curator and closely with other museum and park staff. The self-directed project will be determined once the intern reviews the options at the museum from various tasks. The daily operations of the curatorial office involves researching public and staff questions, assisting with the library, housekeeping, performing inventory, collecting environment data, completing climate charts and graphs for the files, pest trap monitoring, possible exhibit installation, and possible electronic data entry into the National Park Service Automated National Cataloging System (ANCS+). The ability to climb three flights of stairs, bend to touch your toes and reach high above your head, and lift 35-50 pounds on your own, is desired due to the nature of the job, the historic scene, and structures you are required to work in while an intern. Dress will be casual office attire.

The intern will live in park quarters; a dormitory setting in the lower historic town with many scenic views. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern, and it is highly recommended they provide themselves with transportation. Parking will be provided within the park boundaries. Limited public transportation serves the area. Groceries and gasoline, or any other shopping, is located several miles away. Local restaurants are available in town.

This internship is an opportunity to work with a premiere collection of the National Park Service, and live in a historic town with much scenic wonder.  Washington, D. C. and other metropolitan areas are nearby.

Contact for more information: Phone: 304 535-6497; Fax: 304 535-6190; Email: e-mail us; Mail: Harpers Ferry NHP, Attn: Museum Curator, P.O. Box 65, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Submit no more than a three page application including background, course work, and one professional reference from a previous position. Applications for 2007 may be received up to the date of selection. Several past interns have applied for and received curatorial positions in the NPS.