Preservation Scholar Projects 2022
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Preservation Scholar Projects 2022
As part of your application, you will select the top three projects on which you wish to work during
your internship. Projects are listed below by Texas Historical Commission division. Please review the
hyperlinked Agency Division descriptions, as well as the project descriptions.
Agency Division: Archeology
The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) Archeology Division works to identify, protect, and preserve
Texas' archeological heritage. Using a regional approach, archeologists and staff participate in a
variety of activities to support this mission. The division is made up of these programs and projects:
• State Archeology Program
• Marine Archeology Program
• State and Federal Review
• Historical Designations
• The Texas Historic Sites Atlas
• Staff Archeologists
Internship Projects available:
• Archeological Collections Management Assistant - The Archeological Collections
Management Assistant will work with Collections Manager and staff archeologists to re-
inventory and re-assess Archeology Division collections. These collections include
artifacts, field records, research, and imagery from over 300 sites spanning the full span
of human occupation of Texas. Scholars will have the opportunity to learn and practice
a combination of curation, artifact analysis, photography/scanning, report writing or
web-based skills, depending on the goals of the different projects. Student may work on
multiple projects or a single project, depending on the available collections and the
student’s interests.
o Basic Skills required: Familiarity with Microsoft applications; especially MS Word,
Excel, and Access; ability to lift up to 50lbs
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees sought: Archeology, Anthropology, Public History, Communication,
History, Museum Studies, Geography
o In-person internship or remote work: In Person (Austin)
• State Archeology Programs Intern - The State Archeology Program Intern will assist the
State Archeologist and staff archeologists with ongoing division projects. These projects
include public outreach, archeological site research, GIS mapping, and data review
and analysis for programs such as Texas Archeology Month, the Texas Archeological
Stewards Network, the Texas Archeological Sites Atlas, State Antiquities Landmarks and
various projects being undertaken by staff across the state including field projects in
both terrestrial and marine environments. While most projects will be based in Austin,
there may be some opportunities for students to participate in fieldwork. Students may
1work on multiple projects or a single project, depending on staff projects and the
student’s interests.
o Basic Skills required: Familiarity with GIS and Microsoft applications; especially MS
Word, Excel, Access; ArcGIS pro; ability to lift up to 50lbs.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees sought: Archeology, Anthropology, Public History, Communication,
History, Museum Studies, Geography.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin)
2Agency Division: Communications
This department promotes the agency's projects and programs and develops outreach strategies to
increase awareness of the agency's mission and purpose. The staff:
• Develops and implements marketing communications campaigns.
• Coordinates public and media relations and staffs the public information office.
• Designs and produces promotional materials such as brochures, invitations, programs, ads,
and flyers.
• Produces content and maintains the agency's web site.
• Assists with developing and implementing heritage tourism promotions.
• Plans and executes special events, grand openings, and press conferences.
• Publishes the agency's quarterly newsletter, The Medallion.
• Creates information and maintains the agency's social media presence.
Internship Projects available:
• Editorial Internship - The editorial intern will assist the Communications Division’s editorial team
in writing, editing, researching, fact-checking, and publishing a wide variety of digital and print
content. Outlets include the THC’s website and Medallion magazine. Responsibilities include
administrative support. Selection will be based on the candidate’s demonstrated writing
ability, familiarity with tech platforms, and interest in/involvement with subject matter.
o Basic Skills Required: Basic analytical and problem-solving skills, including issue
identification and prioritization. Excellent organization and project management skills.
Must have some reporting/writing experience (clips are required). Ability to collaborate
and achieve results with supervision, including ability to interact professionally with key
internal and external stakeholders as needed. Communication skills that come from
good listening techniques; a clear, concise writing style; and good verbal skills.
Knowledge of AP Style and grammar. Previous experience with blogging and social
media platforms preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with photo editing
and video editing software a plus. Studies in journalism, writing, English,
communications, history, or a related field preferred. Interest in subject matter a plus.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate student
o Degrees Sought: Any
o In-person internship or remote work: In-person (Austin) or remote internship
3Agency Division/Site: Community Heritage Development
This division works in partnership with communities and regions to revitalize historic areas, stimulate
tourism, and encourage economic development through the use of preservation strategies.
• The Texas Main Street Program
• Heritage Tourism
• Texas Heritage Trails Program
• Certified Local Government Program
• Education and Outreach
• Economic Impact Study
Internship Projects available:
• Digital Storymapping: The Legacy of Business Owners Across Texas - Since the Texas
Treasure Business Award (TTBA) program was created in 2005, over 500 businesses around
Texas have been honored, from well-known establishments like H.E.B. and Bill Miller BBQ to
small town bakeries, florists, general stores, and so on. But many of the remarkable stories
behind these local businesses have yet to be shared with a wider public. The aim of this
project is to create an interactive digital narrative using business documents, newspaper
clippings, photographs, and other multimedia content to capture the historic legacy of
these hardworking Texans. Completing this project will involve surveying digital TTBA files
and digitizing any relevant documents in the physical files; occasional contact with
business owners if follow-up research is required; extensive time spent on the selected
digital platform putting these stories together; close collaboration with both heritage
tourism and communications staff; and of course, lots of writing and storytelling!
o Basic Skills Required : Ability to create compelling human-interest stories with
historical documents; strong writing skills, ideally with some creative writing
and/or journalism experience; comfort navigating new or unfamiliar digital
humanities platforms, such as ArcGIS StoryMaps, MapBox, Knightlab storytelling
tools, etc.; experience corresponding with strangers in a professional and friendly
manner.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Any
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
4Agency Division/Site: History Programs
This division works with citizens, county historical commissions, museums, cemetery associations, local
governments, state and federal agencies, and other interested parties to identify, evaluate, and
interpret the historic and cultural resources of Texas. The Division includes these projects and
programs:
• State Historical Marker Program
• National Register of Historic Places
• Historic Cemetery Preservation
• County Historical Commission Outreach
• Museum Services
• Public Project and Tax Credit Reviews
• Military History Program
• Historic Resources Survey
• Historic Texas Highways
Internship Projects available:
• Historical Marker Writer & Researcher - Intern will research and write historical marker topics,
some selected through the Undertold Marker Program. Intern may complete other tasks as
needed, such as database work, editing, digitizing and managing marker files, assisting with
training and workshops, conducting site visits, and other special projects.
o Basic Skills required: Excellent research, writing and communication skills; ability to
analyze and condense text; knowledge of online and in-person research sources and
methods.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees sought: All degrees welcome
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
• African-American Travel Guide Research and Mapping Project – In-depth research on forty
communities across Texas for the historic resources listed in African-American travel guides
(Green Book, Bronze America, Go Guide, etc.) during the modern Jim Crow era. Research to
look for any articles, city directories, postcards, photographs, advertisements, Sanborn maps,
etc. in order to create a visually interesting poster for each community. Date entry into Excel
spreadsheet for listed resources in order to compile information for a future interactive online
map to educate the public about this overlooked part of American history.
o Basic Skills required: Online historical research skills, Microsoft Excel and graphic design
(i.e. Adobe Photoshop or similar) for creating digital posters.
o Level of Education: Graduate student
o Degrees sought: History, Library Sciences, Preservation, Architectural History, African-
American Studies.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
• Developing Sample Core Documents for Museums - The Preservation Scholar will research and
develop the five core documents essential to museum operations as set by the American
Alliance of Museums. The core documents are Mission Statement, Collections Management
Policy, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan, Strategic Institutional Plan and
5Institutional Code of Ethics. Once finished, these core documents will serve as sample
documents that Museum Services can give to museums to use as examples to follow while
they work to develop or revise their core documents. These sample core documents will be
placed on the webpage and available as a free resource to any museum.
o Basic Skills required: Ability to read and comprehend the key elements of each core
document as described by the American Alliance of Museums. Apply these guidelines
and concepts to develop sample documents for the fictional Post Oak County
Museum. Strong reading and research skills and excellent writing skills are required.
Knowledge of museum work will be helpful and is a plus.
o Level of Education: Graduate student who has some familiarity with museums
o Degrees sought: History, Public History, Museum Studies, Education, Historic Preservation,
Communications, Art History, Journalism, English, American Studies, Public
Administration
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
• Redefining the Military History Program Web Presence - Assist program staff in a review of the
Military History Program web presence and make recommendations for its improvement. Work
to identify proper structure and content needs, especially those generated by prior THC
projects or that promote preservation and/or visitation of military sites and museums in Texas.
No programming skills needed; this is strictly a content development project in advance of an
upcoming redesign.
o Basic Skills required: Basic familiarity with Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Upper division
or graduate level understanding of history. User interface focused web development
skills are a plus.
o Level of Education: Upper division undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees sought: History, Education
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin)
• Quick-Reference Guides for Museum Webinars - Museum Services has a library of over 80
recorded webinars on a variety of topics related to museum work. The student will create one-
page reference guides to serve as a companion to the webinars, highlighting the main
themes and key take-aways of the webinar. These reference guides will also provide links to
related reference materials and examples (Texas specific when possible). Staff will initially
determine which webinars will be the focus of this project. As the project progresses and time
allows, the student will be able to select additional webinars to match their areas of interest.
o Basic Skills required: Ability to identify the main themes of a recorded webinar and
transfer these ideas to written format; ability to clearly and succinctly summarize
information; research skills, excellent writing skills; knowledge of museum work will be
helpful and is a plus but not required.
o Level of Education: Graduate student
o Degrees sought: History, Public History, Museum Studies, Education, Historic Preservation,
Communications, Art History, Journalism, English, American Studies, Public
Administration
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
6Agency Division: Historic Sites Location: Austin OR Historic Sites in Texas
This division is responsible for overseeing the agency’s 22 historic attractions located throughout the
state. Staff members welcome visitors, provide educational opportunities and exhibits, preserve
historic structures and artifacts, and work with partner organizations in their communities. The
attractions range from Native American ceremonial mounds to grand Victorian mansions to
expansive frontier forts.
State Historic Site: San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site Location: San Felipe
Internship Projects available:
• Home School Learning Template for San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site – An
education/interpretation focus on developing effective programming aimed at homeschool
audiences (NOT audience development/interaction or marketing); this would focus on how to
use all-age programming to serve these groups who prefer to experience educational
elements as a family group (adults down to youngest children) rather than by age/grade.
Focus would be on providing a comprehensive (all site resources incorporated) proposal for
home school visit planners to help encourage them to bring groups to our site based on the
experience/program content offered.
o Basic Skills Required: Research, communication, knowledge of basic education / public
history programming structure (this can be experiential / user-based, it doesn’t have to
be a specific focus of academic study.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Education, history, communication, archeology are all very
appropriate fields of study for this project; and any student with general requirements
that touch on social sciences could achieve in this area.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (San Felipe) or remote
• Offering Learning Experiences in a Unique Outdoor Exhibit Space: The Villa de Austin – With the
addition of our newest outdoor exhibit, the focus shifts to offering a wide range of hands-on
and experiential learning activities aimed at all ages, children and adults. Many offerings will
need to be self-managed and therefore simply explained. One of the current concepts is to
stage “activity stations” throughout the outdoor buildings that will allow visitors to explore this
environment and engage in a variety of experiences. This project will also evaluate how to
best offer more structured and staff/volunteer-led programming in the space – like short
historical vignettes, led activities/demonstrations and more. The focus of this project would be
to think far outside the traditional museum box and create unique and engaging experiences
that take advantage of this unique exhibit setting.
o Basic Skills Required: Research, communication, knowledge of basic education / public
history programming structure (this can be experiential / user-based, it doesn’t have to
be a specific focus of academic study.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Education, history, communication, archeology are all very
appropriate fields of study for this project; and any student with general requirements
that touch on social sciences could achieve in this area.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (San Felipe) or remote
7State Historic Site: Sam Rayburn House Historic Site Location: Bonham
Internship Projects available:
• Rayburn Family Research – The goal of this project is to compile data on each immediate
Rayburn family member in one location. Starting with existing documentation in the site’s files,
the intern will create a spreadsheet detailing each family member’s full name as well as any
alternative names, birth and death dates and locations, burial location, any known
residences, occupations, marriage information, and a list of their children. Once this is
complete, the intern will begin searching primary and secondary sources for more details on
each family member’s life; creating a digital folder for each person and saving copies of any
pertinent information in that file. If time permits, research can expand into family ascendants
and descendants, as well as Rayburn staff members.
o Basic Skills Required: Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Strong
organizational, multitasking, and people skills. Ability to work independently. Knowledge
of standard office computer skills including word processing. Basic graphic design skills
are a plus.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate
o Degrees Sought: Any
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Bonham) or remote
State Historic Site: San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site Location: La Porte
Internship Projects available:
• Christmas at the McCormicks’ Research Intern – The San Jacinto Battleground is developing a
holiday program titled “Christmas at the McCormicks” for December 2021. The McCormick
family were Irish immigrants and part of Austin’s Original 300 who owned the cattle ranch
where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. This living-history program will focus on life in Texas
right before and after the Revolution, specifically Christmas traditions on the Texas frontier. The
intern’s primary assignment will be to use primary and secondary sources to write a research
memo about lifeways in Texas from 1834-1838 and the specific Christmas traditions of residents
living near the San Jacinto Battleground. Interns interested in public programing will also have
a chance to work on the initial stages of program development.
o Basic Skills Required: Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Strong
organizational, multitasking, and people skills. Knowledge of standard office computer
skills, including database software and word processing. Ability to work independently
or as a team. Experience creating public programing a plus.
o Level of Education: Graduate Student
o Degrees Sought: Museum Studies, Public History, History
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (La Porte) or remote
• Homeschool Programing Intern - The San Jacinto Battleground wants to create a year-long
program for home school families. Historically we see thousands of 4th and 7th graders every
year, but we haven’t made inroads into Houston’s homeschool community. To address this,
we would like to start offering monthly Homeschool Days at the site, with a 9-month curriculum
of themed programs that cater to mixed-age homeschool groups. The Homeschool
8Programing Intern will reach out to homeschool groups in the Houston area to discuss their
needs, then create a series of nine themed programs that the site’s education staff will offer
throughout the year. They will also create promotional material to advertise the Homeschool
Program to the homeschool community.
o Basic Skills Required: Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Strong
organizational, multitasking, and people skills. Ability to work independently. Experience
creating lesson/program plans a plus. Knowledge of standard office computer skills
including word processing. Basic graphic design skills are a plus.
o Level of Education: Graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Museum Studies, Public History, Education, History
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (La Porte) or remote
• Primary Sources of the Texas Revolution Online Exhibit – The San Jacinto Battleground SHS
would like to create an online exhibit telling the story of the Texas Revolution through primary
sources held in the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library at the San Jacinto Museum of History. We
would also like to have one or two educational programs developed to accompany this
exhibit, which will tie into our preexisting school programs focusing on primary sources.
o Basic Skills Required: Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Strong
organizational, multitasking, and people skills. Ability to work independently. Experience
creating lesson/program plans or digital history projects a plus. Knowledge of standard
office computer skills including word processing.
o Level of Education: Graduate Student
o Degrees Sought: Museum Studies, Public History, History, Library and Information
Sciences.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (La Porte)
State Historic Site: Magoffin Home State Historic Site Location: El Paso
Internship Projects available:
• Historic Finishes: Discovery to Restoration – If you have ever wondered, “How did they discover
that stencil and uncover it? How does it look so good?” then this is the internship for you! Using
research, paint history, chemistry, experimentation, documentation, and reversible barriers,
you will learn to uncover hidden treasures and bring them back using practical measures and
best conservational practices. This will be hands on and there will be safety training. Please be
prepared to wear protective clothing and safety gear.
o Basic Skills Required: Painting, Drawing, Color Theory, Problem-Solving, Keen
Observation, Patience, Research.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees Sought: This program would be best suited for an art major who is scientifically
minded or a science major who is artistically inclined. Museum Studies majors are also
welcome if art and science are among their interests and skills.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (El Paso)
9State Historic Site: National Museum of the Pacific War Location: Frederickburg
Internship Projects available:
• Archival Intern – The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Archive and Library is a vital
resource for researchers and students of WWII in the Pacific Theater. With a vast array of
primary resources (correspondence, diaries, journals, recordings, and images.), the NMPW
Archives provide opportunities for an intern seeking practical experience as archival assistant
by processing, cataloguing, and properly storing archival materials to ensure the continued
viability of the collection.
o Basic Skills Required: Organization, cataloging, data entry and management.
o Level of Education: Graduate student.
o Degrees Sought: Library Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, History, Historic
Preservation, Education.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Fredericksburg)
• Education Outreach Collection Intern – The National Museum of the Pacific War’s Education
Outreach Collection is a vital resource for educational experiences and the living history
program. This expansive collection of World War II artifacts consists of objects ranging from
uniforms and maps to radios and field kitchens. Interns will have an opportunity to develop
crucial skills and gain hands-on experience cleaning, preserving, cataloguing, and properly
storing artifacts to ensure the continued viability of the collection.
o Basic Skills Required: Organization, cataloging, artifact storage, artifact cleaning and
preservation.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate
o Degrees Sought: Museum Studies, Public History, History, Historic Preservation, Education.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Fredericksburg)
• Collection Intern – The National Museum of the Pacific War’s collection of WWII artifacts is
essential to the NMPW preserving the stories of the war through objects and to the exhibits
planned in the museum’s future. With a vast array of artifacts, ranging from planes and tanks
to bullets and buttons, the NMPW Archives provide opportunities for an intern seeking practical
experience processing, cataloguing, and properly storing artifacts to ensure the continued
viability of the collection.
o Basic Skills Required: Organization, cataloging, data entry and management.
o Level of Education: Graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Library, Museum Studies, Public History, History, Historic Preservation,
Education.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Fredericksburg)
State Historic Site: Fannin Battleground State Historic Site Location: San Felipe
Internship Projects available:
• Creating a Rewarding Self-Guided Experience for Visitors who Go off the Beaten Path and Visit
Fannin Battleground – Fannin Battleground is literally an accidental historic site. So many things
had to fall a certain way for the site and its dramatic events to have unfolded, it seems more
likely that the story should have been contained at the Presidio La Bahia in nearby Goliad
(where the story began and ended). In fact most visitors who visit the Presidio see little reason
10to engage the “middle of the story” at Fannin Battleground, even though it is only 10 miles
away and sits on a popular interstate corridor. This project would develop an easy-to-follow,
completely self-guided tour of the battleground for visitors who want to take the time to
explore. It would overview all the resources at the site and attempt to help visitors visualize the
Battle of Coleto Creek and its significance to the Texas independence story.
o Basic Skills Required: Research, communication, knowledge of basic education/public
history programming structure (this can be experiential/user-based, it doesn’t have to
be a specific focus of academic study.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate
o Degrees Sought: Education, history, communication, archeology are all very
appropriate fields of study for this project; and any student with general requirements
that touch on social sciences could achieve in this area
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (San Felipe) or remote
Community Engagement Program (Historic Sites Division)
Internship Projects available:
• Climate Change Resilience for Historic Sites – The student will research the various climate
change threats to the THC’s historic sites according to their regions and building styles, and will
research steps other similar organizations are taking to make their historic sites more resilient
while maintaining the Secretary of Interior Standards of treatment to historic buildings. The
project will culminate in a report that will be used for further consideration of implementation
by the Historic Sites Division.
o Basic Skills Required: Basic skills required include research and writing; knowledge of
Secretary of Interior historic preservation standards; knowledge of and/or interest in
regional climate change threats throughout Texas; knowledge of, or interest in
strategies to mitigate climate change threats to historic properties, and retrofitting
historic sites for climate change resiliency while maintaining historic standards.
o Level of Education: Graduate Student
o Degrees Sought: Historic preservation, geography, sustainability, and other related
fields.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
• Media Content Development for Nonprofit Partners to Historic Sites – Research and write
content for monthly e-newsletter, “First Friday News for Friends,” which gives historic sites
updates, notices about nonprofit training opportunities, and provides nonprofit resources.
Create an orientation manual for nonprofit partners about the THC and historic sites, which
can be used online or as a printed product.
o Basic Skills Required: Skills required include writing and research; designing layout for
print and digital media; interest in, or knowledge of nonprofit resources.
o Level of Education: This project can be suited to either an undergraduate or graduate
student. The job can be tailored to the student’s level of experience.
o Degrees Sought: Fields of study may include nonprofit management, communications,
humanities, history, or closely related fields.
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
11Agency Division: Friends of the THC Location: Austin
This Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) is the nonprofit partner to the THC. The FTHC was
founded in 1996 to help meet the THC’s need for private charitable dollars designated to preserve,
protect, promote, and educate citizens about the state’s rich heritage. By building public-private
partnerships, the FTHC secures funding for THC projects and programs not provided for in the state
budget. Additionally, the FTHC provides a means for Texans to become personally involved with
preserving Texas’ historic places and stories. The FTHC provides critical funding support to the THC in
these four programmatic areas: capital support, education programming, and stewardship
programming.
Internship Projects available:
• Fundraising Internship - The fundraising intern will have the opportunity to engage with and
learn from both fundraising and other Texas Historical Commission staff on a variety of projects.
The fundraising intern will work directly with the development manager and executive director
on database maintenance and donor research/outreach, including foundation prospect
research and data management.
o Basic Skills Required: Excellent oral and written communications skills and attention to
detail; experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher);
Research experience (preferred); interest in nonprofit management, fund development
and historic preservation.
o Level of Education: Undergraduate or graduate student
o Degrees Sought: Any
o In-person internship or remote work: In person (Austin) or remote
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