Navigating Architectural History and Historic Preservation Internships

An internship in architectural history and historic preservation offers invaluable practical experience for students and emerging professionals. These opportunities provide hands-on learning, skill development, and networking within the field. This article explores the requirements, opportunities, and benefits associated with architectural history and historic preservation internships.

Internship Opportunities and Requirements

Smithsonian Institution: Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC)

The Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC) at the Smithsonian Institution offers internships through its Architectural History and Historic Preservation (AHHP) program. The primary goal is to provide practical experience in the stewardship of historic cultural facilities.

Eligibility: Applicants should have completed undergraduate and/or graduate coursework related to architecture, architectural history, materials conservation, historic preservation, and historic building trades.

Available Projects:

Building Preservation Plan: The intern will research and utilize existing documentation to develop a Building Preservation Plan (BPP) for a specific Smithsonian facility. This plan will include:
- An historic narrative.
- A history of building changes.
- Preservation zoning diagrams.
- Suggested maintenance practices for significant historic fabric.The BPP will be a written document supplemented with photographs and drawings.
Record Documentation for the Smithsonian Castle: The intern will document uncovered historic fabric and the history of changes revealed during the Castle construction project.

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World Heritage USA: International Exchange Program (IEP)

World Heritage USA, in collaboration with ICOMOS-USA, offers an International Exchange Program (IEP) for graduate students and emerging professionals specializing in historic preservation and heritage conservation. This program provides a 10-12 week practical working internship under the supervision of professionals at a public or private nonprofit heritage organization.

Program Overview: IEP internships are designed to provide hands-on experience, allowing interns to execute and complete projects with the same level of professionalism and responsibility as project staff.

Program Schedule: Internships typically span 11 weeks, including an orientation in Washington, D.C., and a 10-week project at the host location. The program takes place during the summer months, from June to August. The program includes:

Orientation in Washington, D.C.
10-week project at the host location.
Final gathering in Washington, D.C.

Selection Process: The selection process for the IEP is highly competitive, with approximately one in fifteen applications being successful. Interns are chosen based on:

Demonstrated skills.
Commitment to historic preservation.
Previous experience.
Academic concentration in the field.
Ability to represent their country in an exchange program.

Intern Responsibilities: Interns are expected to maintain professional behavior and work ethic throughout the internship.

Stipends: World Heritage USA provides stipends to cover basic living expenses (food and housing) during the internship. Housing costs are covered during the orientation and final program in Washington, D.C. The exact amount of the stipend and travel cost coverage varies depending on donations, housing arrangements, and the cost of living in the internship location. Interns are responsible for obtaining private health insurance for the duration of their stay.

Historic Preservation Program Requirements

A Master of Science (MS) degree in Historic Preservation typically requires a comprehensive curriculum that includes core courses, research methods, experiential learning, and electives.

Core Courses: Core courses provide a foundational understanding of historic resources and preservation processes. These may include:

Architectural history
Economic, legal, and administrative processes of preservation
Preservation history and theory
Research methods

Experiential Learning: Experiential learning is a crucial component of historic preservation programs, offering hands-on experience in real-world settings. This may involve fieldwork, special projects, and internships.

Internship Requirement: Most programs require students to complete a summer internship, providing practical application of theoretical concepts.

Read also: Applying to BAC

Examples of Experiential Learning Opportunities

Documenting a Historic American Buildings Survey for the Alaska Regional Office of the US National Park Service.
Reconstructing the Ferry House porch in Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve, Whidbey Island, Washington.
Conservation treatment for a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps complex in the Nez Perce National Forest in central Idaho.
Conducting a condition assessment of historic buildings at the Oregon Caves National Monument.

Individualized Study

Beyond core courses, students can tailor their studies through internships, elective courses, and a thesis or terminal project. This allows for a customized path based on individual interests.

Internship Examples and Opportunities

Internships in historic preservation can take various forms, offering diverse experiences across different sectors.

National Park Service

Mt. Rainier National Park, WA: Historic Landscape Interns participate in preserving historic roads, conduct Cultural Landscape Inventories, and receive training in cultural landscape preservation principles, historical research methods, and fieldwork techniques.
Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage, AK: Intern Historians and Historical Architects research and write Historic Structures Reports and document historic sites.
Yosemite National Park, El Portal, CA: Heritage Preservation Department Interns conduct archival research, field documentation, and develop preservation project guidelines.

State Historic Preservation Offices

Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, Salem, OR: Commission on Historic Cemeteries Interns produce educational outreach programs about the preservation and restoration of pioneer cemeteries.

Nonprofit Organizations

Chico Heritage Association, Chico, CA: Historic Preservation Interns document historic farmsteads and prepare National Register nominations.
Hegeler-Carus Foundation, LaSalle, IL: Historic Preservation Interns prepare National Register Nominations, conduct artifact preservation, and catalog museum acquisitions.
Mission Mill Museum, Salem, OR: Historic Preservation Interns develop disaster plans for museums, addressing natural and man-made disasters.

Private Sector

Allen Nelson, Preservation Carpenter, Albany, OR: Field Assistants work on the rehabilitation of historic farmhouses, repairing windows, doors, and floors.
Carey and Company Architecture, San Francisco, CA: Intern Architects work on preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects for historic buildings.
Wiss, Janey & Elsner Architects, Seattle, WA: Landscape Architects write cultural landscape reports for historic sites.

Benefits of Internships

Participating in internships offers numerous benefits for students and emerging professionals in architectural history and historic preservation:

Practical Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience, allowing individuals to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Skill Development: Interns develop essential skills in areas such as research, documentation, preservation techniques, and project management.
Networking: Internships offer opportunities to connect with professionals in the field, building valuable relationships and expanding professional networks.
Career Advancement: Successful internships can lead to future employment opportunities and career advancement in the field of historic preservation.
Global Perspective: Programs like the World Heritage USA International Exchange Program provide international experience, broadening worldviews and preparing individuals for success in multicultural environments.

Resources for Finding Internships

National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Job Board: This job board lists preservation jobs, internships, and Requests for Proposals.
HOPE Crew: The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers preservation craft training for young people through Hands On Preservation Experience (HOPE) crews.

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