Internship Overviews by Department

The Williams Research Center (WRC) provides access to HNOC’s extensive collections, including books, manuscripts, and objects. Interns engage in reference services and projects related to archival processing and cataloging while exploring the role of research libraries in organizing and providing access to historical resources.

The WRC manages the Williams Research Center Graduate Intensive, a collaboration with LSU’s School of Information Studies to provide graduate students with professional experience in a research library setting. It also manages the Archives and Special Collections Practicum internship, which provides opportunities for undergraduate students to learn the principles and practices of archival work through experiential learning within the Williams Research Center.

The collections department oversees the organization, care, preservation, and documentation of HNOC’s extensive collections, including books, manuscripts, and objects. Interns assist in collections-management projects such as inventory, condition reporting, and housing and storage. Their work provides insight into registration best practices and methods that ensure the responsible stewardship, accessibility, and long-term care of museum collections.

The curatorial department provides subject-based and collections expertise in order to plan and support the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and interpretive outreach. Curators conduct research, draft interpretive texts, provide outreach such as public lectures and published scholarship, and actively develop HNOC’s art, artifact, and historical collections through engagement with donors, dealers, collectors, and other acquisition sources. Curatorial interns support exhibition or acquisitions research, conduct collections research into provenance and makers, and assist in interpretive projects. Their work introduces them to curatorial ethics and methods, object-based research, and the process of developing narratives that connect collections with the public.

The education department develops meaningful learning experiences through pedagogical approaches in public history spaces. Interns explore HNOC’s collections, exhibitions, and historical resources to support the creation of educational materials, social studies resources, curriculum-aligned programming, and interpretive activities for field trips and the K–12 classroom. Interns examine how museums use historical content, teaching strategies, and educational resources to foster deeper understanding and learner engagement and help to make museums more welcoming places for all.

The education department manages the Derven Scholars program, which provides interns with experience in museum pedagogy, public history, education, and curriculum development within a history museum setting.

The visitor services department serves as the primary point of connection between HNOC and its visitors, creating welcoming and meaningful experiences throughout the museum. Interns engage in audience engagement, gallery experiences, visitor support, and exhibition-focused learning opportunities, while honing communication and research skills and learning best practices along the way. Interns develop skills in engaging diverse audiences, facilitating connections with exhibitions, and creating meaningful experiences that bring historical narratives to life.

The development department advances HNOC’s mission through fundraising, donor relations, and membership programs. Interns contribute to donor research, membership efforts, event support, and administrative tasks that help foster connections with the community. Their experience offers valuable insight into nonprofit development and the essential role of philanthropy in sustaining cultural institutions.