Historical Clothing & Performance Intern

Bring the past to LIFE! Work alongside our professional staff of historical educators at First State Heritage Park to create authentic reproduction clothing from the 18th and 19th centuries. As an intern in this position, you will increase your knowledge of material culture, gain experience in the reproduction of historic clothing, practically apply your knowledge in living history programming, and learn the organizational skills required to manage a reproduction clothing collection that spans hundreds of years of American history.

Interns will also participate in intern-wide professional development activities and experiential learning opportunities that may require them to be off-site or away from their placement. Each intern will complete a personalized “demonstration of learning” project. At the conclusion of the internship, all interns will present their projects during a poster session for peers and Delaware State Parks staff.   

LOCATION Dover, DE – may travel to various locations throughout Delaware – access to vehicle available

TERM OF SERVICE Three months

Full Time, 35 – 37.5 hours per week; Schedule Monday - Friday with some holidays and weekends required.

NOTE: The 4th of July is a required holiday

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Assist in the day-to-day operations of a historic site, emphasizing the use of reproduction clothing

· Apply knowledge of material culture and sewing skills to fabricate, alter, or repair reproduction clothing

· Create one historical clothing-based program to present to the public at the John Bell House

· Work with a range of sizes to produce historic clothing from the 18th and 19th centuries

· Support interpretive programming, including living history, with a focus on historic clothing

· Assist in the inventory of existing historic clothing/costume collection

· Assist in the organization of clothing and accessory storage

· Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and Saturdays as needed

• Prior knowledge of 18th and 19th century clothing preferred, but not required

• An interest in history and experience in fashion and apparel studies, material culture, textiles or related field

• Must be able to work on site for a minimum of three days per week

• Professional appearance and demeanor

• Responsible and trustworthy

• Enjoys working with the public

• Independent and responsible

• Ability to work independently on projects

• Excellent organizational skills

• Systematic and highly detail oriented

• Ability to demonstrate competent sewing skills, either with a machine or by hand

• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions

• Able to stand for long periods, lift and transport up to 25 pounds of clothing

• Performs duties in compliance with Division and Park Customer Service Guidelines and Safety Guidelines

• Access to reliable transportation

DIRECT SUPERVISOR

The direct supervisor will be the Park Superintendent and Interpretive Programs Manager of First State Heritage Park.