Internships For College Students

The internship programs are unpaid. However, the Zeeland Historical Society will work with the student to meet internship requirements for college credit.

 

We are looking for college interns enrolled in a Public History or related program.

 

Internship hours can be completed Tuesday through Friday between 9 am to 5pm. We are looking for someone who can put in anywhere from 5-25 hours per week.

 

We are also able to work with students to design an internship around marketing, program planning, and oral histories. Please contact Katelyn VerMerris at director@zeelandhistory.org if you are interested in learning more. 

ARCHIVES INTERN - 

 

The Zeeland Historical Society has a valuable resource in its collection of archival material. Original documents offer insight into Zeeland’s history and culture and can serve as a useful tool for researchers. The Zeeland Historical Museum offers internships in archival methodology and practices. The archives intern will implement proper care and practices to ensure accessibility and conservation of the materials. The intern will work under the supervision of the curator to process our archival collections using approved materials and proper storage. Furthermore, knowledge and organization of what we have, beyond individual memory, will allow us to actively use our archival materials in the future, therefore, the intern will work to catalog and inventory our archival collections to provide us with a comprehensive list of what we have. The intern will help process archival collections, create finding aids, and digitize archival material that will provide researchers and visitors access to our collections. This work will give the intern hands-on experience in many aspects of the archival field, from processing to preservation methods.

 

The internship is unpaid; however, the Zeeland Historical Society will work with the student to meet internship requirements for college credit. We are looking for college interns enrolled in a Public History or related program for the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Internship hours can be completed Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. We are looking for someone who can put in anywhere from 5-15 hours per week.

 

Archives Intern Objectives:

1. Update and maintain the organizational system for storing archival collections.

2. Process archival collections under the supervision of the curator.

3. Create finding aids and properly document materials.

4. Provide context for archival collections through comprehensive research.

5. Digitize archival collections.

6. Use OCR software to make digitized material searchable.

7. Add digitized material to online catalog.

8. Record and input appropriate metadata.

9. Rehouse/refile using proper archival practice.

10. Implement appropriate preservation practices and labeling methods.

11. Update and maintain organizational system for filing oversized archival material.

12. Properly store and archive digital material (e.g., collection of CD-ROMS, Floppy Disk, VHS).

 

To apply, please submit a statement of purpose and resume to the museum curator at: Audrey Rojo, Curator at museum@zeelandhistory.org.

 

COLLECTIONS INTERN - 

 

Dekker Huis Museum Collections Internship The mission of the Zeeland Historical Society is to preserve and interpret the history of Zeeland and the surrounding areas for future generations. One way the society carries out this mission is through the Dekker Huis Museum. The museum collects artifacts with the intent to preserve and interpret the history of the area.

 

The Dekker Huis Museum offers internships in collections methodology and practices. The collections intern will work under the supervision of the Curator to process, document, accession, and catalog artifact donations using Past Perfect software and approved museum methods of accessioning and cataloging. Collections interns will also help to inventory, clean, and reorganize artifacts in storage, as well as assist with research on specific artifacts. The collections intern may also assist with exhibit research and with installing or uninstalling exhibits. The collections intern will receive training in proper care of artifacts, accessioning and deaccessioning methods, and museum cataloging software.

 

The internship is unpaid; however, the Zeeland Historical Society will work with the student to meet internship requirements for college credit. We are looking for college interns enrolled in a Public History or related program for the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Internship hours can be completed Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. We are looking for someone who can put in anywhere from 5-15 hours per week.

 

Collections Intern Objectives:

1. Learn and perform proper accessioning and cataloging methods for donated artifacts.

a. Fill out accession paperwork and keep appropriate records.

b. Label and house artifacts according to best practices.

c. Conduct necessary research to record accurate information for catalog records.

d. Catalog items using Past Perfect software.

2. Learn proper deaccessioning methods.

a. Assist the Curator with the deaccessioning process.

b. Document and maintain records of deaccessioned artifacts.

3. Assist with inventory process.

a. Record catalog numbers and locations of items in storage and in permanent displays.

b. Fill out problem slips for items that need to be addressed.

c. Identify found in collections items.

d. Learn and implement proper cleaning and storage procedures.

4. Assist Curator with displays and exhibits.

a. Conduct research and write object labels for items on display.

b. Assist with exhibit installation or uninstall as needed.

c. Assist with object rotation to ensure preservation of artifacts.

 

To apply, please submit a statement of purpose and resume to the museum curator at: Audrey Rojo, Curator museum@zeelandhistory.org.

For questions call Audrey at 616-772-4079 or contact us.

 

To apply, please submit a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE and RESUME to Audrey at museum@zeelandhistory.org.  Or mail your completed paperwork to: 

Zeeland Historical Society

PO Box 165 

Zeeland, MI 49464 

ATTN: Audrey