The Summer Internship Program is eight (8) weeks long, beginning June 2 and ending July 24. Interns are expected to report to their internship four days a week, from Monday through Thursday, for the duration. Interns should be able to report in person to LancasterHistory, unless unforeseen circumstances occur.

LancasterHistory welcomes applications from undergraduate college students. Eligible are recent graduates (Class of 2025) and rising undergraduate seniors (Class of 2026), juniors (Class of 2027), and sophomores (Class of 2028) in the summer of 2025. High school or graduate school applicants are not eligible for this program.

We strive to include a diverse range of backgrounds, university affiliations, and interests in this program, with the common thread that students have an interest in exploring careers in public history, history, archives, library science, material culture, non-profit administration, or related fields.

Yes! The LancasterHistory Summer Internship Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and is offered without cost to those who are accepted into the program. All accepted interns will be given a $2,500.00 stipend, distributed at intervals throughout the program. Housing is not provided, but staff can advise on local options. Interns should have reliable transportation to and from LancasterHistory each day.

All interns will work with the director of a department at LancasterHistory to complete an individual project during the internship. For 2025, there will be internship opportunities in the following departments: Curatorial; Archives; and Historic Site Management (at James Buchanan’s Wheatland). Please note that projects may involve collaboration with other LancasterHistory staff, interns, and departments.

Expectations of each intern depend on their department. Please review the following before applying for the program.

Internship Description for Archives

• View/Download a Microsoft Word Doc [.docx, 55kb]
• View/Download a PDF [.pdf; 187kb]

Internship Description for Curatorial

• View/Download a Microsoft Word Doc [.docx; 55kb]
• View/Download a PDF [.pdf; 188kb]

Internship Description for Historic Site Management

• View/Download a Microsoft Word Doc [.docx; 56kb]
• View/Download a PDF [.pdf; 220kb]

To apply: 

• Complete the online application form;
• Submit a formal cover letter briefly (250-500 words) detailing your academic and/or work experience, your personal interest in history and museums, and why you are interested in joining the LancasterHistory Summer Internship program or what you hope to get out of the experience;
• Submit your current resume or CV; and
• Submit one letter of recommendation to the primary department you selected:
  • If you selected "Curatorial," please submit your letter to Dr. James McMahon at james.mcmahon@lancasterhistory.org.
  • If you selected "Archives," please submit your letter to Heather Tennies at heather.tennies@lancasterhistory.org.
  • If you selected "Historic Site Management," please submit your letter to Patrick Clarke at patrick.clarke@lancasterhistory.org.

Applications close March 15 at 11:59pm Eastern. We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis so we can make decisions as quickly as possible. We will announce final decisions on or before April 15.