All Historical Society internships are unpaid.  Because our interns are not paid, we've found the best interns are those who can live rent-free with family or friends in Freeport and Stephenson County.  Most interns choose to arrange their internship schedule so that they can still work in a paying job in order to save some money for the next school year.   

We will make every effort to work with your school to make sure you receive the credits you deserve.  The length of time for each internship and the number of hours worked will be determined by your school and how many credit hours you wish to receive.  

Each accepted intern will receive a free one year membership to the Historical Society and free admission to all Historical Society events that take place during your internship.  

Some of the internships available are:

Accessioning Assistant
Assistant would describe new items in the collection and rate their condition, entering all information into a database. Additional research may be necessary to accurately describe some items. Attention to detail is very important. Knowledge of antiques and historical artifacts is helpful but not necessary. The intern chooses what area of the collection to work with, based on his/her own interests.  This is an unpaid position. 

This position would be of special interest to someone studying history, museum studies, writing or journalism, library science, art, or any field that requires a careful attention to detail. 

Farm & Industrial Museum Exhibit Assistant

Our Farm & Industrial Museum was recently remodeled and we are now in the process of putting the artifacts back in place. Assistant would pick one or more areas of 19th and early 20th century farming (chicken, dairy, field work, etc.) or early Stephenson County industries (Henney, Rawleigh, Union Dairy, etc.) and arrange the artifacts into an exhibit, create labels, and write information for tour guides. This is an unpaid position. 

This position would be of special interest to someone studying history, museum studies, writing or journalism, art or agriculture. 

Summer Assistant to the Director
Assistant would help the Director in planning special events, guiding tours, accessioning collection pieces, marketing and promoting the Museum, and/or daily activities of operating a Museum. Assistant may be assigned a special project, event or exhibit of his/her own. This is an unpaid position. 

This position would be of special interest to someone studying history, museum studies, marketing, art, small business management or not-for-profit business management. 

Museum Gift Shop Assistant
Each December the Museum Gift Shop is open seven days a week. Assistant would help staff the Gift Shop, stock shelves, order supplies, advertise, plus answer visitor's questions and show them the Victorian Home decorated for Christmas. This is an unpaid position. 

This position would be of special interest to someone studying history, museum studies, art, communication, business management, marketing or retailing. 

Fall or Spring School Tour Guide
Fall and spring bring out a number of school groups anxious to tour the Historical Society Museum. Guide would specialize in the Victorian Home, School House, Log Cabin, or Farm Museum (your choice). After training, Guide would lead tours of school children. Guide will be taught touring and educational techniques along with ways to gear history towards children. This is an unpaid position. 

This position would be of special interest to someone studying history, museum studies, art, public speaking and communication, or education and young children. 

Special Project or Research
If you have a special project or research idea that could benefit both you and the Historical Society, please contact the Executive Director to discuss it. 

For more information or to set up an interview please contact:
Stephenson County Historical Society
1440 S. Carroll Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-8419
Director@StephCoHS.org