PROJECT SUMMARY

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save historic places in the United States. It boasts 27 sites in its portfolio, many of which have connections to the queer past. The LGBTQ+ Past in the Present Internship provides an opportunity for researchers who have an interest in the queer past to explore it, as it relates to the National Trust’s sites. This project will yield a story map that highlights queerness across the portfolio. The intern will also assess the interpretation of this history at two specific sites: The Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut and Shadows-on-the-Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. This assessment will culminate in reports that provide narrative summaries of the ways these sites connect to the LGBTQ+ past and offer recommendations on how to incorporate this history into their interpretations.

National Trust internships are temporary experiential learning opportunities with no expectation of employment at the conclusion of the internship.

For this internship, the National Trust is offering a stipend of $4,000 to help offset expenses. The period of the internship would be from approximately June 10 – August 2 (some flexibility in schedule may be possible).

DUTIES

The internship provides researchers with a well-rounded experience working with a fast-paced nonprofit. Interns support the National Trust through an array of duties, including:

• spatially analyzing queer history across more than two dozen historic properties;

• compiling primary and secondary sources about the queer past, as they relate to the National Trust;

• Drafting reports that compile these sources into narratives and offer recommendations on how to best incorporate these histories into site interpretations; and

• In collaboration with the Director of Interpretation and Education, facilitating trainings for National Trust staff members on the best practices for interpreting the queer past.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO THE INTERN

The intern will gain experience under the mentorship of respected preservation and museum professionals at Trust HQ and our sites, in an educational setting at one of the nation’s leading arts & cultural and non-profit advocacy organizations. The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in educational programming offered via the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s organization-wide internship program. Students may also be eligible for college or graduate school academic credit at the discretion of their institution.

Specifically, the intern will gain knowledge in the following areas:

• How to navigate a national nonprofit with a complex staff structure and diverse audiences, geographies, themes, histories and opportunities for interpretation

• Cultural heritage consulting across a portfolio

• How to facilitate meeting discussions on challenging topics, build trust, gain buy-in from stakeholders and develop recommendations and processes for change

At the end of the project the intern will have produced a story map that highlights queerness across all 27 sites and reports assessing the interpretation of queer history at The Glass House and Shadows-on-the-Teche, which can be added to their professional portfolio in support of their future career pursuits.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Some experience researching LGBTQ+ histories and/or historic places.

• Basic analytical and problem solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization. Basic project-organization skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to collaborate and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with key internal and external stakeholders as needed. Public contact and ability to work successfully in close proximity to others required.

• Strong organizational skills required, with ability to prioritize, multi-task efficiently, and meet deadlines in a timely fashion

• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions required. Able to handle frequently changing and/or unscheduled tasks with accuracy.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Friendly and professional demeanor on the phone and in writing, with ability to speak and write clearly in English. Bi-lingual language skills a plus.

• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse colleagues; connections to or experience helping to engage culturally diverse audiences and partners a plus. Bi-lingual language skills (especially English/Spanish) a plus.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products required, including Outlook, Word and Excel. Familiarity with other ArcGIS a plus.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.

• Bachelor’s level studies (or equivalent years of experience) required; current or rising juniors, seniors or graduate students preferred. Studies or demonstrated interest in LGBTQ+ history or related subject matter preferred

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