Weber Research Internship
WEBER RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
Location: Drake Well Museum & Park, 202 Museum Lane, Titusville, PA 16354
Team: Curatorial/Museum Collections and Archive
Supervisors: Executive Director of Friends of Drake Well, Inc. &
Museum Curator, Drake Well Museum & Park
Wage: $17.31/hour
Duration of Internship: 250 hours
Contact Email: sarabell@pa.gov
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Namesake Overview
David L. Weber was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1956. He grew up in Pleasantville surrounded by the history of the oil industry. David began his work at Drake Well Museum & Park in 1980 and was much appreciated for his knowledge of and interest in oilfield history. David wrote all the labels for the outdoor exhibits during the time period. He wrote a comprehensive study of internal combustion engines used on the region’s oil leases and recorded over 150 oral histories. Most of the people he interviewed have since passed away so these recorded memories are all that is left. David was indispensable as a researcher. He helped countless visitors to the museum solve their family mysteries or scholars delving into the unknown past. His encyclopedic knowledge and photographic memory was of vital importance to staff of the museum and the Friends of Drake Well, Inc. He could walk to the four filing cabinets of copy prints, open a drawer and retrieve the image being requested. His living history character “The Pumper” was part of Museum events from 1989 until his passing. He took every opportunity to share his knowledge with school tours to adult history camp. He readily shared his enthusiasm when new collections arrived and willingly shared any related background information.
(Excerpted from “In Memoriam”, OilField Journal, Volume 18, 2021-2022)
Company Overview
This position is offered through Friends of Drake Well, Inc., the nonprofit community-based organization that actively supports the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in the administration of Drake Well Museum & Park in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The internship will take place at Drake Well Museum & Park.
Drake Well Museum & Park serves as the historical heart of Pennsylvania's Oil Region National Heritage Area and is one of 23 historic sites and museums that make up the Pennsylvania Trails of History.
For over 90 years, Drake Well Museum & Park has preserved and interpreted the site of the Drake Well, chronicling the birth and development of the petroleum industry in Pennsylvania as well as its growth into a global enterprise. Visitors to the museum’s 240-acre site enjoy a board-for-board replica of Drake’s engine house built around the National Historic Landmark well, an operating central power oil lease, a standard drilling rig, 12,000 square feet of interior exhibits, and the largest artifact and archival collection focused on the birth of the modern petroleum industry. Drake Well Museum & Park also offers an abundance of year-round recreational opportunities, including paved bike trails, delayed harvest fly fishing in Oil Creek, modern picnic facilities, hiking trails, and a neighboring 9,000-acre state park.
Our Mission
Drake Well Museum & Park uncovers, preserves, and shares Pennsylvania's rich petroleum history, connecting past to present through a diversity of perspectives and inspiring our global audience to strive for a sustainable energy future.
Our Interpretive Priorities
- Drake Well as the birthplace of the world's modern petroleum industry
- The petroleum industry's development in Pennsylvania and subsequent growth into a global enterprise
- Scientific and technological innovation
- Petroleum's global impact—both positive and negative
Role Overview
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Research Intern to join our innovative team at Drake Well Museum & Park. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic research environment and collaborate with seasoned professionals while researching the ever-evolving petroleum industry.
Responsibilities
- Perform an archival review to identify gaps in existing research and make a list of findings
- Conduct research on topics from compiled list to flesh out historical information in archive
- Acting Editor-in-Residence for forthcoming issue of the Friends of Drake Well, Inc.’s academic peer-reviewed publication the OilField Journal
- Present research by contributing an article to the OilField Journal and giving an oral presentation at a site event
- Provide support to the Curatorial and Collections Department for ongoing archival projects
Required Qualifications
- Pursuing a Graduate or Ph.D. degree in the following areas: History, Public History, Museum Studies, Sociology, Archival Studies, English, Library Science, Journalism, Petroleum Engineering, Geology and other related fields involving intensive research and writing skills
- Strong analytical skills with a foundation in research methodologies
- Familiarity with data analysis tools (i.e. Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, Zoom, Dropbox, Canva)
- Chicago Manual of Style, Turabian Citation Style, and other similar writing styles are highly encouraged, but not required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous internship or coursework experience in research or data analysis
- Exceptional interpersonal and editing skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines effectively
- Ability to think outside of the box
Mandatory Requirements
- The intern is required to have the following background checks and clearances before the start date: the Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33), Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History [PATCH] (Act 34), and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Strong curiosity and a passion for learning
- Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and evolving research environment
- Ability to work well in a team as well as independent study
Benefits and Perks
This internship provides valuable experience and the potential for future opportunities within Drake Well Museum & Park. Interns will receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals to facilitate their growth and development.
Location
This role requires successful candidates to be based in-person at Drake Well Museum & Park in Titusville, Pennsylvania.
Interns must provide their own transportation and housing. Please note that public transportation in the area is extremely limited. Drake Well Museum & Park can provide the intern with a list of potential housing opportunities if needed.
TO APPLY:
Applicants must apply online at https://joinhandshake.com/. Applicants will be asked to submit the following items as part of their application to be considered for the Weber Research Internship at Drake Well Museum & Park.
- Cover Letter
- Current Résumé with three references.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position. Deadline for application is February 9, 2026.
This is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) position. In the selection of interns, there shall be no discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. This position also falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.