Museum Assistant Internship
Position Title: Museum Assistant Intern
Location: Windham Textile & History Museum (The Mill Museum),
411 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
Position Summary
The Museum Assistant Internship offers students hands-on experience in the daily operations of a museum. Interns will gain practical skills in collections management, exhibition preparation, visitor services, and administrative support, working closely with museum staff to support ongoing projects and needs.
Two opportunities are available for either a single semester or the full academic year.
*If the applicant has a preference for a semester or academic year, please indicate in your application*
Key Responsibilities
Visitor Services and Administrative Support (70%):
• Work with weekend staff to manage the front desk
-review voicemail messages, take calls, count cash at start and close of day. Keep front end space clean and neat.
• Assist senior staff at desk with daily tasks as assigned.
• Possible administrative tasks include copying, scanning, file organization, stock inventory and replying to emails.
• Complete a walkthrough of the grounds at open and close, noting any building issues that might need to be addressed by senior staff.
• Work with Membership Manager to encourage membership sales and processing membership applications.
• Familiarize yourself with the Mill Museum’s collections and exhibitions to convey to visitors what exhibit’s purpose are and relevance to the Museum’s mission.
• Help maintain a welcoming and professional environment for visitors and guests.
• Other duties as assigned.
Exhibition Support (10%):
• Support exhibition-related tasks such as object handling, label production, and installation preparation, as applicable.
• Occasionally assist with collections care, including cataloging and object movement/ location identification.
Education and Outreach Support (10%):
• Work with educator to learn applicable skills to assist in events and programming.
• Contribute thoughts and ideas for museum programming when appropriate.
• Assist Executive Director in researching and identifying contacts for outreach for development, programming, and media purposes.
• Occasionally create social media content that can be displayed on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites.
• Misc./Intern’s Prerogative (10%):
The Mill Museum is passionate about supporting individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the museum/non-profit field. As a result, a small portion of the intern’s time for the duration can be spent working toward a project or type of work that they are most interested in pursuing. Working with the support Executive Director, the intern will be given the opportunity to propose or assist in a project of their choosing.
Qualifications
• Currently enrolled in a college or university program; must be eligible to receive academic credit.
• Interest in museums, history, or related cultural fields.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff and volunteers.
• Good communication skills and a professional demeanor.
• Skill using social media and is willing to learn how to navigate the Mill Museum’s digital ecosystem.
Possible Learning Outcomes
• Demonstrate understanding of museum operations and professional standards.
• Apply basic collections management practices in a professional setting.
• Contribute to exhibition preparation and public engagement initiatives.
• Utilize administrative and research skills in a cultural institution context.
How to Apply
Complete interest form on this webpage
Send a résumé, cover letter, and a statement from your academic advisor confirming credit eligibility to director@millmuseum.org. Please include “Museum Assistant Internship” in the subject line.
