The Museum Internship Program

The Wilmette Historical Museum offers student internships, usually beginning in January, June or October. We also consider high school students for special projects at any time during the year. Before applying, we recommend that you contact us to confirm that we are currently accepting applications. Unfortunately, internships are not paid at the current time.

Interns can learn about many aspects of museum work in the areas of collections, research, exhibits, and public programs. The focus of each internship varies depending on the student's interests and the currently available projects at the museum. Past projects have included cataloging objects, processing archival collections, digitizing photographs, creating public tours, developing new material for the website, and assisting with research and writing for upcoming exhibits.

High school interns, who generally work at the museum for shorter periods of time, might consider projects such as: 1) planning an exhibit case; 2) conducting oral history interviews; 3) creating a walking tour, podcast or such about a historic topic or place in the community; 4) working with the younger students and teachers to add a local history component to their current studies; or 5) taking photographs or films on a specific topic.

Students are expected to intern 7-15 hours/week, usually for 8-10 weeks but the time period can vary, especially with high school projects. Students usually work afternoons Mondays-Thursdays. Because the internship is part-time, students are free to hold a paying job or pursue other activities in conjunction with the internship.

A completed application should include the following items:

1) A current resume, which includes a list of relevant classes taken and the names and contact information for two references.

2) Answers to each of the following three questions/statements (just one paragraph for each question, please):

a) Tell us about your interest in history or a related field.

b) What is your goal for the internship?

c) Is there any particular reason why you are interested in the Wilmette Historical Museum?

3) Applications can be emailed to: museum@wilmette.com, or mailed to Wilmette Historical Museum, 609 Ridge Road, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. If you email your application, please write "Internship Application—your last name" on the subject line of the email.

Deadlines: As a general rule, application deadlines are December 10 for a winter term internship, April 1 for a summer internship, and September 10 for a fall internship. If you have a project that does not fit this schedule, call or email us about alternatives. We will notify you by January 10 (winter term), April 20 (summer term) and September 25 (fall term).

Questions? Contact Director Kathy Hussey-Arntson at 847-853-7666 or museum@wilmette.com