National Museum Welcomes Summer Interns
Six Bermudian students are taking part in the National Museum of Bermuda’s [NMB] summer internship programme this year getting hands-on work experience and training in all aspects of museum work, including learning best practices in heritage management, as well as deepening their understanding of Bermuda’s diverse history.
Through the programme, NMB interns learn historical research techniques, such as how to conduct archival research and historical investigation; collections management techniques including how to accession artifacts, and handle and document artifacts; and exhibit installation procedures.
NMB Curator, Dr. Deborah Atwood, who manages the internship programme said: “Interns are an integral part of the Museum’s team, assisting with collection management projects, conservation, research, and exhibit work. Bermuda’s cultural heritage sector has a bright future with these talented, enthusiastic students.”
Dominique Williams, Samantha Stempel, Jaylen Simons, Hana Bushara, Yusef Bushara and Amani Simons
A spokesperson said, “As part of the programme, interns are encouraged to develop both scholarly and public history writing skills. They are asked to submit articles for NMB’s online blog, annual members’ magazine MARITimes, and NMB’s public history and academic journal, the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History.
“Each intern is delegated a main research project based on their interests and studies focusing on objects and records from the NMB collections. Their research informs exhibit development and teacher and student resource guides. NMB interns also explore other cultural sites and institutions around the Island as an introduction to Bermuda’s network of cultural heritage professionals and institutions.
Former NMB intern, now Curatorial Assistant Chynna Trott shared: “The skills I have learned at the Museum elevate my understanding of Bermudian history and the history of the wider Atlantic world. The internship was invaluable to provide clarification of my chosen field and allow me to foster relationships with museum professionals. These relationships have allowed me to feel more confident in my academic career while also providing support in my professional one”.
The projects the 2022 interns are involved in include helping create a teacher’s resource guide on piloting in Bermuda; research on a maritime topic or object of their choosing from the NMB collection; research on the role of oral histories vs. archival and recorded histories; rehousing the Museum’s extensive shipwreck/underwater cultural heritage collection and transcription work on the Museum’s oral history collection.
NMB Curatorial Assistant Chynna Trott
A spokesperson said, “NMB’s 2022 interns come from a wide range of education backgrounds from history and English to communications and science. Dominique Williams is completing a Bachelor of Science, Biology, at St. Francis Xavier University [Nova Scotia, Canada]; Samantha Stempel is studying Psychology at Bryant University [Rhode Island, US]; Jaylen Simons studied Classics and English at King’s College London [United Kingdom]; Hana Bushara completed her Bachelors in Global Studies at St. Lawrence University [New York, NY] and is currently working toward her MSc in Strategic Communications at The London School of Economics and Political Science [United Kingdom]; Yusef Bushara is studying Political Humanities at Sciences Po/Hong Kong University [Hong Kong]; and Amani Simons is an Ancient, Medieval and Modern History student at the University of Kent, Canterbury [United Kingdom].
Hana Bushara said, “My motivation to take part in the NMB internship program stems from my passion for and interest in communication and media studies, as well as my desire to contextualize the current social and political landscape of Bermuda through gaining a better understanding of our island’s history. Paramount to the positive growth of Bermuda is an awareness of the past through which we emerged. I am excited to be mentored by passionate practitioners of history, as well working alongside a group of interns passionate about Bermuda”
Yusef Bushara said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the summer intern cohort at the National Museum, and to learn from some of Bermuda’s best on all things history! My interests lie in learning more about how Bermuda’s cultural heritage is constructed and preserved, about what our framing biases have historically been, and what pressures need to be exerted institutionally to make our telling of history fuller and more inclusive.
Jaylen Simons said, ”I first applied to be an intern at the National Museum of Bermuda after taking a tour of the Museum and Casemates in high school. That summer I volunteered as an intern, assisting with curatorial projects and research. Since then, my interest in Bermuda history has increased, and being an intern at the Museum has allowed me to research and learn more about Bermuda history and pursue topics that are of particular interest to me. The internship has also allowed me to gain experience and get research jobs in academia, working with professors and universities.”
Dominique Williams said, ”I applied for the NMB internship this summer mainly because history, genealogy, and research are a pastime of mine and after seeing the museum’s family scrapbook initiative I thought how can I get involved this summer with learning more about Bermuda’s history. And it has been more than I could’ve imagined, spending everyday learning under so many dedicated historians has been amazing! I would recommend interning at the museum for anyone who is dedicated to learning about Bermuda’s history and our connection with the wider world or who just wants to gain experience working in a museum environment.”
Amani Simons said, ”I chose to do an internship at the Museum because I am studying history at university. Being at this internship has shown me how interconnected the world is and where Bermuda fits into it. I learn new things every day and it has helped widen my perspective on not just Bermuda’s history, but world history.”
Samantha Stempel said, ”The NMB’s internship has been an eye opening experience, exposing me to both the extensive history of the island and my place within that timeline. Not only does it make you appreciate the work that goes into preserving the country’s heritage and culture, but the importance of sharing it with others.”
NMB offers 4-week and 8-week summer internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and recent graduates. The internship programme is supported by the Museum’s annual fund, the Anchor Fund and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sport, Government of Bermuda. To learn more visit here.
