Project Summary: The collections department documents the history and culture of the state by building, preserving and making available the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. The intern will work independently and with staff in the Collections Department to assist in the identification, cataloging and processing of acquisition offers in the 3D Objects collection. At the culmination of the internship the intern will submit a blog post about an accessioned object of their choosing to be published in Collections Up Close.

Student Responsibilities:

  • Inspect and research unprocessed objects
  • Consult acquisition files to determine status of objects
  • Create acquisition and catalog records for unprocessed objects
  • Prepare and mail Deed of Gift agreements for acquisitioned objects
  • Occasionally attend Acquisition Committee and other meetings
  • Pack and mail rejected objects to donors
  • Write a blog post

 

Knowledge intern is expected to gain:

  • Experience working in a professional setting
  • Specialized training in MNHS collections cataloging and collections management software
  • Knowledge of collection acquisition process and museum standards and best practices
  • Training in the careful handling of fragile historic objects
  • Experience handling museum artifacts
Ideal degrees: History, museum studies, anthropology, library science, or related fields.

 

Student Qualifications:  Senior level undergraduate student or graduate student.  Must possess the following:

  • Interest in history and material culture (preferred: future desire or plans to work with collections in a museum)
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Strong computer or database skills
  • Strong oral communication skills
  • Requires minimal direct supervision
  • Ability to lift and move moderately heavy objects

Additional Materials Required: Short writing sample (not to exceed 500 words). Ideally, the sample should be a cited, research-based piece.
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: Unpaid internship