Museum Internship- Historic Interpretation

JOB SUMMARY:

The historic interpreter intern assists Living History Farms in achieving its mission: to educate and connect all people to the many stories of Midwestern rural life heritage.

You will interact with the museum’s guests, explaining the history and trends in agriculture and rural life in the Midwest through conversations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, all while learning and strengthening professional development skills.

You will work at 2-3 of the different historic areas at Living History Farms.  Much of the time, you will be working outdoors, while wearing clothing issued by Living History Farms that reflects the clothing of the time period.  When working at the 1700 Ioway Farm, you will wear modern museum service uniform clothing issued by Living History Farms.

Upon successful completion of the internship requirements, you may have earned up to a maximum of 6 hours of college credit through Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa.  Non-Graceland students must transfer credits to their home university and are responsible for any fees associated with this.

Specific Duties: 

• Greet and interact with museum guests in an open, friendly manner. 
• Interpret historic events and facts for museum guests of all ages.  Communicate information with cultural awareness and sensitivity, creating a safe learning space for all ages.  Direct guests’ curiosity and interests to provoke thoughtful consideration of other cultures and experiences. 
• Engagingly demonstrate and interpret daily historic activities (may include food preparation and food preservation, gardening with hand tools, crafts or sewing, use of period machinery, etc.) for school tours, day camp groups, adult tour groups and the general visitor. 
• Actively encourage general visitors, especially children, to participate in interactive activities, including scheduled hands-on activities, as appropriate. 
• Perform appropriate work, indoors and outdoors, in a variety of conditions consistent with the historical time period and the interpretive activity, and within the variations of Iowa’s climate. 
• Always maintain a professional demeanor, especially when interacting with the public, but also including during training sessions and with other staff. 
• To successfully complete all requirements for earning academic credit, 
  • Read assigned materials, complete papers and projects, and attend academic seminars.
  • Complete required number of interpretation hours (360 hours). Any time missed will need to be made up to successfully complete the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION HOURS and SCHEDULE:                            

• The internship runs from May 17 – August 10, 2024.
• Averages 30-40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday.  The workday is usually about 8:45 – 4:15. While rare, the schedule may also include an occasional evening, which will be scheduled well in advance.
• Required days: You MUST be here for these event days: June 22; July 4; Aug. 3. If you are not able to be here on these dates, consider not applying. 
• Internship requirements:
  • Must complete required number of internship hours (360 hours). Any time missed may impact how many hours of credit are earned. 
  • Attendance required at 3 museum seminars over the course of the internship.