Historical Interpretation Internship (Costumed Position)
At Old Sturbridge Village, a Historical Interpreter engages and educates our visitors. Interpreters use historic clothing, structures, plants, animals, and landscape as well as the tools and techniques of early trades, agriculture, horticulture, and domestic crafts to make meaningful connections with the present. Interpreters help visitors gain insights into their modern world and a better understanding of it by conveying aspects of its origins in early 19th century rural New England.
All Historical Interpretation interns will be provided with general training in life in rural New England in the 1830s and in the locations to which they’ll be assigned as well as in visitor engagement and customer service.
Depending on the museum’s needs, Historical Interpretation interns will have the opportunity to work in various trades and occupations, such as farming, dairying, blacksmithing, gardening, hearth cooking, shoe making, sewing, pottery, portraying a school keeper, and more. Each Historical Interpretation intern will be assigned one primary and one secondary work location within the Village. Applicants for Historical Interpretation internships will be asked to describe their interest in specific types of trades and occupations. Please read the descriptions below for more information on these options.
In addition to working in their primary and secondary locations, each Historical Interpretation intern will complete a research or historic craft project related to their primary location. Interns will work with their supervisors and the Coordinator of Internships to identify their project. Each intern will present their work at the end of the summer.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm; occasionally, Agriculture interns will work outside of these hours depending on the needs of the farm. Generally, Historical Interpretation interns work on days the museum is open (Wednesday-Sunday). Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor and the Interpretation Department’s scheduler.
Types of Trades and Occupations
Each type of trade and occupation is interpreted in more than one location around the Village. Each Historical Interpretation intern will be assigned one primary and one secondary location in which they will spend most of their time. Please note that the primary and secondary locations may reflect two different types of trades and occupations.
Agriculture
Agriculture interns gain direct hands-on experience with an educational agriculture program. The intern will work under the supervision of the museum’s Coordinator of Agriculture to develop new and expand existing programs including sustainable agriculture, heritage breed animals, and heirloom crops.
Interns’ work in Agriculture will include daily animal chores (feeding, watering, and cleaning) and field work (haying, cultivating crops, fence repair, and small grain harvesting). Interns must be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and working around large animals. Interns must be able to regularly lift up to 50 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 75 lbs.
Civics and Religion
Civics and Religion interns interpret community-based engagement in government, religion, and contemporary organizations that focused on issues such as temperance, anti-slavery, educational reform, and law. Interns will participate in the annual Independence Day Readers’ Theatre, and working with the Supervisor, will research relevant topics to develop programming for visitors.
Musical Performance
Musical Performance interns focus on interpreting historic music through structured performances. These performances aim to educate the public on specific aspects of rural New England music trends, for instance, a talk and demonstration of tavern music, sacred music, or protest music. Music interns would be expected to build a repertoire of talks and music to fit.
Musical Performance interns spend time between their scheduled performances interpreting households or studying new repertoire as necessary.
Gardens (Paul and Barbara Rogers Horticulture Internship)
A major component of OSV’s mission is its commitment to showing horticulture and the importance of gardens in 19th-century life. Working as a historic gardener will entail using all aspects of the Museum’s multiple gardens as educational tools to make meaningful connections with our visitors.
19th-century gardening includes bed preparation, sowing seed, thinning, pest management, weeding, watering, harvesting, and seed saving (of both vegetables and flowers). This will involve working in costume using 19th-century techniques. Interns must be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions.
Households
Household interns gain skills in daily operation of a domestic space, as well as work that could be done in a home to help support a family economically. Each house at OSV offers different opportunities for interpretation. Depending on their location, Household interns might make cheese, prepare food at an open hearth, demonstrate historic sewing or mending techniques, dye wool, or weave straw or baskets.
Trades
Trades interns focus on the interpretation and use of tools and equipment to produce goods for sale or exchange. Interns will receive training specific to the trade of their assigned location. Please note that while each Trades intern will develop their skills over the course of the internship, they should not expect to become an expert in ten weeks.
Trades interns might focus on woodworking (Cabinetmaking Shop, Cooper Shop), metalwork (Blacksmith Shop, Tin Shop), printing and bookbinding, shoemaking, pottery, or the operation of water-powered mills (Sawmill, Gristmill, Carding Mill).
Historical Clothing Internship
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience in the creation, research, and maintenance of reproduction historical clothing. The intern will work closely with staff in the Historical Clothing Office on a variety of projects. These may include: assisting members of the office in their daily activities, such as inventory management, cleaning, repairs and alterations; creation of new garments, research of historical styles, and/or projects relevant to the intern’s interests. The intern will also take on maintenance of the museum’s robust children’s clothing stock and assist Museum Education in dressing the weekly Discovery Adventures campers (6 weeks).
Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Requirements:
Preference will be given to students or recent graduates with previous experience in fashion history or costume construction coursework and/or working with historical garments. Experience working with children is a plus.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Historical Clothing interns work Monday-Friday. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Graphic Design Internship
The Graphic Design intern will work closely with the Communications (Marketing) staff to produce and support advertising, marketing, and programming materials for the Village. Projects include print and digital graphics, advertisements, web assets, social media content, signage, retail products, and event collateral such as invitations. The Graphic Design intern will have the opportunity to be creative and collaborate with many departments such as Collections & Research, Interpretation, Retail, and Museum Education.
Please check with your school to see if you are eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend of $2,000. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone, Zoom, or in person.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have working-knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Experience with photography and videography a plus. The Graphic Design Intern should be ready to work in a fast-paced environment that requires creative thinking, be well-organized, have a strong attention to detail and experience in producing for print and web. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn important skills that will translate into many creative or graphic design-related careers.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Graphic Design interns work Monday-Friday; interns may be asked to work on weekends or evenings when the Village hosts special programs or events. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Marketing Internship
We’re seeking a creative, organized, and enthusiastic Marketing Intern to join our team at Old Sturbridge Village. This is a hands-on opportunity to collaborate with all museum departments, gain valuable communications experience, and contribute to promoting a unique living history museum and travel destination.
The Marketing intern will work closely with the Communications (Marketing) staff to produce and support all communications efforts. Projects include content creation for use on social media, flyers, and the website to help grow our audience; planning campaigns; public relations; and data gathering and analysis.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have a passion for storytelling and will have exceptional written and verbal communication abilities. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are a must. Experience with social media platforms and familiarity with photography/ videography a plus. The Marketing Intern should be ready to work in a fast-paced environment that requires creative thinking, eagerness to learn, collaborate and contribute new ideas. This is an exciting opportunity to learn important skills that will translate into museum, communications, marketing, and/or nonprofit careers.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Marketing interns work Monday-Friday; interns may be asked to work on weekends or evenings when the Village hosts special programs or events. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Museum Administration Internship
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience in the administration of a living history museum. The Museum Administration Intern will work closely with the senior leadership of Old Sturbridge Village. They may assist in the following areas: provide assistance with donor-related/fundraising events, write an article to be published in the Visitor Magazine, observe and assist with planning new organizational initiatives, and complete assignments on behalf of members of the senior leadership team.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Requirements:
The ideal candidate will be well-organized, have strong writing skills, and be attentive to detail. Business casual attire is expected.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Museum Administration interns work Monday-Friday; interns must be available to work some weekend and evening donor events. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Museum Education Internship (Costumed positions)
Under the supervision of the Director of Museum Education for Field Trip and Youth Programs, Museum Education interns assist with daily operations, program research and development, and summer program activities including administrative duties, Discovery Adventures camps, and other Museum Education programs. Interns’ duties will be designed around their experience, education, and interests, but first and foremost, based on the Museum Education department’s needs. Interns will wear historic clothing during some their activities.
Interns will be responsible for the interactive learning experience of children ages 6-17. Interns must be adept at a variety of teaching techniques that are applicable in relating the everyday life of 19th-century New Englanders in a historical museum setting. Interns will be trained to lead youth group inquiry-based historical site tours, group discussions, participatory activities, role playing, and simple craft workshops working in a cooperative teaching environment with fellow teachers.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Requirements:
Successful completion of two years in an undergraduate program with a core concentration in Education, History, Art History, or related field. Must be comfortable and enthusiastic about working directly with children; 1 to 3 years work experience in either a camp, childcare, or educational setting. A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Museum Education interns work Monday-Friday. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Research and Curatorial Internship
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct hands-on experience in the care and management of historic collections, manuscripts, and archives. The intern will work closely with the curatorial and library staff on a variety of projects which may include inventory and cataloging, preventive care of objects, exhibit installation, pest management, digitization, archival processing, public programming, writing and publishing opportunities, rehousing of archival materials, developing finding aids for manuscript and research assistance.
Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Requirements:
Preference will be given to students or recent graduates with previous experience in museum studies coursework and/or working with historic objects and/or exhibits.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, Research, Collections & Exhibits Curatorial interns work Monday-Friday. Interns will be asked to work Saturdays in July to support an oral history project on 7/4, 7/5, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
Center for Painted Wall Preservation Support Internship
College Internship supporting the Center for Painted Wall Preservation
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a college student or recent graduate interested in gaining direct experience in managing a virtual museum, as well as other educational and research-oriented aspects related to the Center for Painted Wall Preservation website during the summer of 2026. Old Sturbridge Village is working with the Center for Painted Wall Preservation (CPWP) who recently launched a virtual museum and maintains a digital archive of historic painted rooms throughout the northeast on their website: pwpcenter.org. The intern would work under the supervision of the Director of Research, Curatorial, and Preservation and have regular meetings with the CPWP management. Projects would include learning and adjusting various educational and research content to the CPWP website, creating and expanding social media content and involvement by adding to the general research and enhancing outreach related to historic painted walls in New England and New York State.
Orientation to the museum and specific training to complete the tasks will be provided.
Please check with your school to see if you’re eligible for academic credit. Summer interns receive a stipend. Interested applicants must submit a written application and are interviewed by phone or video conference.
Requirements:
Preference will be given to students or recent graduates with previous coursework or experience in museum studies, art history, and/or digital archives. Prior experience working with WIX websites would be beneficial to candidates.
Hours:
The internship is available during the 10-week summer session. The workday is from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Generally, this intern would work Monday-Friday; interns may be asked to work on weekends or evenings when the Village hosts special programs or events. Schedules will be established with the intern’s supervisor.
