Intern - Foundry

Description

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

Historic Trades internships are ten to twelve-week experiences working with the Historic Trades department at Colonial Williamsburg. Usually, interns are assigned to a particular trade shop or group of related trades, where they assist the full-time staff in operation of the shop(s), including interpretation and demonstration to guests, production, and research. In turn, interns can learn about the trade(s), develop trade skills, gain experience with public contact and service, and acquire insights about museum and living history careers. Other internship opportunities may entail opportunities like assisting with department administration, specific research projects, or publications. Internships usually require commitment to a 40-hour work week. If appropriate, costumes are provided. Locating housing is the responsibility of the intern. While internships are not offered for educational credit, we will work with individuals if their school has credited programs for which an Historic Trades internship might qualify.

Essential Functions:

1. Assists the shop staff by interpreting and demonstrating trades to guests, engaging in production, and undertaking assigned research projects.
2. Provides outstanding customer service.
3. Follows safety and security procedures established for the site, tools, materials, and equipment.
4. Ensures that the safety and security procedures are followed in the absence of the supervisor and journeymen.
5. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Demonstrated interest in traditional trades and a desire to explore the possibilities of a career as a museum professional.
• Good communication and guest service skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a shop team.
• Adaptability to changing shop schedules, assignments, and special projects and programs.
• Aptitude to do manual work while interpreting to visitors.
• Aptitude to learn trade skills combining problem solving, good hand/eye coordination and an eye for details.
• Ability to work safely with heat and sharp tools.
• Must be able to work without the comfort of modern heat in winter or air conditioning in summer.
• Must be able to work a Tuesday to Saturday schedule.

*Applicants may be asked to submit a two- to three-page written statement of the experience they desire and what they offer to contribute to Trades operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Enrollment or completion in an undergraduate program in American History or on subject matter related to the intern experience. Experience working with the trade. Interest in 18th-century material culture. Previous living history museum experience. Familiarity with the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Trades program.