Part-Time • Paid • Closes February 7
Historic Trades Internship
Part-Time, Internship Summer 2025
Due Date: Friday, February 7, 2025
Program runs June 2 - August 8, 2025
Historic Trades at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is accepting applications for the George Washington: Entrepreneur summer internship program. With a focus on living history at both the Farm and the Gristmill & Distillery, this internship provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to gain in-depth knowledge about George Washington, 18th-century agriculture and industry, and enslavement at Mount Vernon. It also provides an opportunity to gain experience as front-line staff in the museum field.
The Farm is a working, four-acre, demonstration site that interprets Washington’s promotion of scientific innovation and sustainable agriculture and highlights the lives of the enslaved people who carried out Washington’s vision. The Gristmill & Distillery site (located 3 miles from the main estate) emphasizes the industrial aspects of Mount Vernon. The reconstructed Gristmill utilizes waterpower to operate millstones grinding corn and wheat. The Distillery is a fully-functional reconstruction of Washington’s whiskey distillery. Interns will work at both locations.
This program is open to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college by the start of the internship on June 2, 2025, and will not have graduated as of June 2, 2025. Applicants should be comfortable with public speaking and available during the entire ten-week internship period of June 2 - August 8, 2025. Candidates with a background or a keen interest in history are preferred.
This position requires the ability to work outdoors in hot and humid weather; to wear an 18th-century costume; to do rigorous physical activity including demonstrating 18th century farming methods, field work, and milling; to work in a dusty environment; to lift and carry 50 pounds; to conduct hands-on activities; to speak with guests of all ages, and to conduct and present and independent research project. No previous experience using 18th-century tools or methods is required.
All interns will complete a training program in interpretive methodology and historical content. Key topics include 18th century economics and agricultural methods, distilling, milling, and slavery. Upon completion of training, interns will work as full-time Historic Trades Interpreters under the direction of the professional interpretive staff. Interns will be doing costumed, living history interpretation. They will be expected to wear period clothing, provided by Mount Vernon. Interns do not need to be in character.
Interns are expected to work a five-day, 40-hour week that will include weekends and some evenings. In addition, interns will participate in department-sponsored field trips to other historic sites and museums in the region. Interns will be required to complete a research project on George Washington, agriculture, the enslaved community, 18th century trades, or related topics. Historic Trades staff will work with colleges and universities to ensure that, if applicable, course credit requirements are met.
This is a paid internship. Interns will receive a stipend of $12/hour (distributed biweekly). Interns are also eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses to and from the Mount Vernon region, up to $350 round-trip. As employees of Mount Vernon, interns are required to adhere to Mount Vernon’s Employee Handbook policies. Proof of an up-to-date tetanus vaccination will be required before the first day of work.
Learn more and apply here.
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