Interpretation Internship – ONSITE – First Ladies National Historic Site
About The Position
The site consists of two buildings: the Visitor Center and the Saxton House. The Visitor Center is a small museum featuring exhibits on First Ladies, where visitors can explore at their own pace. The Saxton House, the historic home of Ida Saxton and President William McKinley, is typically accessible by guided tour only. During summer 2026, due to an ongoing HVAC project, the Visitor Center will be closed most days, giving visitors the rare opportunity to explore the Saxton House at their own pace. Interpretive staff will be stationed inside the home to answer questions and present interpretive programs about the McKinley and Saxton families. Last year, an intern from this program conducted meticulous research on the staff who worked and lived in the home. The 2026 intern will use that information to craft interpretive programs and engage directly with thousands of visitors.
Requirements
- Relevant majors: History, Public History, Interpretation, Museum Studies, Education, or a related field
- Ability to research independently
- Friendly and able to engage with people of all backgrounds and abilities
- Creativity and strong storytelling skills
- Comfort with public speaking and engaging visitors in a historic setting
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with interpretive staff
- Interest in inclusive storytelling and interpreting lesser-known historical narratives
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Responsibilities
- Research and develop an interpretive program focused on the staff who lived and worked in the Saxton House and served the McKinley and Saxton families, including domestic and medical staff who cared for Ida McKinley
- Incorporate existing research into audience-centered interpretive programming
- Present interpretive programs regularly to visitors within the Saxton House
- Lead guided tours of the Saxton House and engage visitors in meaningful dialogue
- Support on-site interpretation during periods of increased visitor access
- Prepare and deliver a final presentation of the interpretive program to NPS staff and partner organization staff
- Use park resources to develop program materials and presentation components
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
