Connecting Past and Present: Exploring a Career in Museums While Working as a Curatorial Intern

Abstract

This summer I worked as a curatorial intern for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia. I worked with the Curator of Toys, conducting research and updating catalog entries for items in the collection. While most of my work consisted of writing object descriptions and condition reports, I also had the opportunity to work on a variety of smaller projects and became familiar with the day-to-day activities of the curatorial staff. In addition, I gained hands-on experience in the museum by attending volunteer training sessions and assisting with installations. All of these experiences came together to give me a new perspective on museums as well as valuable insight into the curatorial field.