German-American Heritage Museum​ Summer Intern​

This summer I worked for the German-American Heritage Museum in Washington DC. The museum was founded in 2010 with a goal of “collecting, recording, preserving and exhibiting the rich cultural legacy of Americans of German-speaking ancestry.” As a history and German major with a passion for public history, the position was a perfect fit.​

​My main project for the summer was gathering information for a German Historical Trail Map. I gathered information on German businesses, organizations and heritage sites, throughout the United States. I also found materials for a virtual exhibit on women’s suffrage and helped to archive the museum’s collections.​

​This job was a great introduction to the world of museums. I learned so much about how to conduct historical research, make contacts with other organizations and develop exhibits. I especially loved using resources like census records and old newspapers to find long-forgotten historical sites.