Internships
Internships are available for youth (12-18) during the summer and for college students year-round.
Fill out this application and submit to: museum@plainsboronj.com
Types of Internships
ARCHIVES: Intern will assist with the organization, cataloging and/or digitization of archives/collections. Intern may learn how to properly organize and store collections, use collections management software and/or digitize collection content.
EXHIBITS: Intern will assist with the creation of rotating exhibits. Intern may learn how to research objects for inclusion in exhibits, organize exhibits, create exhibit labels and brochures and/or create digital exhibits.
MARKETING: Intern will assist with marketing the museum generally and/or for specific events and programs. Intern may learn how to update the museum website and social media platforms, create collaborations with community businesses and organizations, create brochures and other marketing material and/or write articles and press briefings about the museum.
PROJECT: Intern will spearhead a specific project for the development of the museum, which may be chosen by the intern or suggested by museum staff. Examples include historic resource surveys, collection assessments, collaborative events and programs, fundraisers, sustainability studies, etc.
RESEARCH: Intern will create or update information in the museum files pertaining to some part of Plainsboro’s history, including significant persons, places, businesses, organizations and events. Intern will utilize records from the museum, other archive/library locations and internet sources to create or update the museum file on their chosen topic.
Available year-round for undergraduate and graduate students. Internship may count toward academic credit. Interns may complete a specific project or assist generally with program/event development, collections management, exhibit curation or public outreach.
Past Internship Projects
Bike/Driving Tour of Historic Plainsboro
2020Sanskriti
This project resulted in an easy-to-follow tour of significant sites in downtown Plainsboro. When finalized, each site will be marked with a QR code linked to the tour website, where visitors will learn the site’s history.
Art Contest
2020Kiko
As a collaborative event with the West Windsor Arts Council, local youth were invited to participate in an Art Contest where their submissions portrayed life in the 19th Century, with objects from the museum as inspiration.
Then & Now Photograph Booklet
2020Karan
This project resulted in a photographic booklet of historic photos of Plainsboro sites paired with contemporary images taken at the same location. Historian Bill Hart, author of Plainsboro, consulted on this project.
Research about the Plainsboro Police Dept.
2020Sahana
This research compiled information and photographs about the history of the Plainsboro Police Department, from its establishment to ongoing development.
Research about the Plainsboro Rescue Squad
2020Sreya, Ina
This research compiled information and photographs about the history of the Plainsboro Rescue Squad, from its establishment to ongoing development.
Inventory of the Furniture Collection
2020Riya, Isha, Prisha
This varied collection includes school desks from Plainsboro’s earliest school, a pew from Plainsboro’s historic Bethel Church (now demolished), household furniture from early Plainsboro families, and more.
Catalog of the Walker-Gordon Collection
2020Adarsh
As the largest collection in the archives, the Walker-Gordon and Elsie the Cow Collection includes hundreds of objects, documents and photographs which detail the history of Plainsboro’s most famous resident and the company which invented the Rotolactor.
Creation of Museum Docent Manual
2020Gautami
This project resulted in a comprehensive docent manual for the permanent museum exhibits, which includes pictures and detailed information so that all docents can give accurate and pertinent information during museum tours.
Research about the Wicoff Family
2020Sonal
This research compiled information and photographs about the Wicoff Family, who built the Wicoff House and lived in it from 1880 to the 1960s. John V.B. Wicoff, whose parents built the house, was one of the founders of the Township of Plainsboro.
Curation of Grover Archaeological Exhibit
2020Aaron
This project resulted in the organization and digitization of the Grover Archaeological Collection, which consists of artifacts recovered from the Grover/Scott Farmstead during a 2008 archaeological dug; as well as a new temporary exhibit of select artifacts.
Article Series about Museum Exhibits, Events
2020Diksha
This project resulted in a series of articles detailing various museum events and exhibits, collection objects in storage, and historical anecdotes from Plainsboro’s early families and area development.
Catalog of the Wicoff Family Collection
2020Riya
With the Wicoff House itself as the most significant “object” in the museum collection and the anchor of the Wicoff Family Collection, the rest of this collection includes photographs, ledgers, Lavinia Wicoff’s 1905 wedding dress, and more.
Curation of Leni Lenape Exhibit
2020Isheeta
This project resulted in the organization of the Leni Lenape Collection, which consists of numerous arrowheads, spears, mortars and pestles and more; as well as a new temporary exhibit of select artifacts.
Research about Farming in Plainsboro's History
2020Mahit
This research compiled information and photographs about the history of farming in Plainsboro’s early development.
Research about Plainsboro Businesses
2020Shreyus
This research compiled information about several early Plainsboro businesses, which were active during the early to mid 20th century.
Research about the Plainsboro Declaration
2020Sruthi
This research compiled information about the thirty signers of the incorporation document for the Township of Plainsboro. They were members of early Plainsboro families like Wicoff, Britton, Stults and Sohl.
