Museum Internship

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These one semester, unpaid internships may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative. All interns work directly with museum staff at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM).

Applications due by August 1 for Fall, November 15 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer.

Museum Collections Internship - Antique Carpet Collection

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Collections Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in management of the museum’s Antique Carpet Collection. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Collections Intern will work with the Executive Director and Curator of Collections on the regular care of the Antique Carpet Collection. Museum founder W. Parsons Todd (1877-1976) collected 68 rare carpets which today comprise a recognized, significant collection. The Antique Carpet Collection intern will examine, assess, condition report, clean and rewrap each carpet taking care to note any changes in condition. Responsibilities include handling objects, assessing object condition, cataloging, performing collection maintenance, and researching the carpets in the museum’s collection.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Digital Media Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Digital Media Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in website development and social media. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Digital Media Intern will work with the Executive Director to update and maintain the museum’s online presence. Responsibilities include updating the museums website and planning, scheduling, and posting content for the Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, be able to successfully conduct independent research, be familiar with the word press website platform, and be proficient in various social media outlets.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Media Marketing Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Media Marketing Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in generating public interest and news for the museum. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Media Marketing Intern will work with the Executive Director to promote the museum through various media outlets. Responsibilities include editing, posting, and scheduling press releases for museum events, educational programs, and new exhibitions.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Archives Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Archives Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in maintaining records that have enduring value at the museum. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Archives Intern will work with the Executive Director and Curator of Collections to preserve valuable records, and manage a system to help visitors and staff understand and easily find information within those records. Responsibilities include assessing, organizing, and maintaining the following types of records; photographs, prints, letters, and documents.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, have a basic knowledge of conservation, strong organizational skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Collections Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Collections Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in collections management. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Collections Intern will work with the Executive Director and Curator of Collections to implement the museum’s professional plan for collections care. Responsibilities include handling objects, assessing object condition, cataloging, assisting with the accession of objects entering the collection, performing collection maintenance, aiding with exhibitions, and researching objects in the museum’s collection.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Education Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Curator of Education and Community Engagement, the Museum Education Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in the research and development of a public program. This 12-week, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Education Intern will work with the Curator of Education and Community Engagement to develop a public program relevant to the Museum’s mission. Responsibilities include identifying reliable resources, including primary sources when available, conducting research, writing interpretive materials and designing activities that are age-appropriate for the audience.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Museum Studies Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Museum Studies Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) will participate in updating the museum’s interpretive plan. This one semester, unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Museum Studies Intern will work with the Executive Director and Curator of Collections to update the current interpretive materials used to train tour docents. Responsibilities include critically assessing the current Volunteer Handbook and researching current museum best practices for developing interpretive strategies. The Museum Studies Intern will then create select interpretive materials for an object or group of related objects in consultation with professional museum staff.

The successful candidate will be interested in American History and/or American Fine and Decorative Arts, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to successfully conduct independent research.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Spring Garden Internship

Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Spring Garden Intern at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum will participate in the research, care and maintenance of MHHM’s historic two-acre garden for 21 hours per week from March through May. This unpaid internship may be taken for course credit as determined by the appropriate college or university representative.

The Spring Garden Intern will be responsible for some of the regular garden care and maintenance including: weeding, assisting in the division and replanting cultivars, assisting in the planting of the kitchen garden, assisting in the planting of the dahlia collection and preparing the gardens for summer. Summer preparation includes: laying hoses for irrigation, assessing the condition of garden tools and soil mitigation on an as-needed basis. She or he will work with the Executive Director to identify long-term planting and expansion needs based on research of the historic grounds both in the Archives at MHHM and other local institutions.

The successful candidate will be familiar with the basics of garden care and maintenance, work well independently and as part of team, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, be able to successfully conduct independent research, and be creative in their approach to educating the public about gardens through social media.

To apply, please email a cover letter outlining your interest in Macculloch Hall Historical Museum’s gardens, resumé and three references to: Patricia C. Pongracz, Ph.D., Executive Director, ppongracz@maccullochhall.org.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Located in downtown Morristown, N.J., Macculloch Hall has been part of the local community for over 200 years, first as the home to community-minded residents, George and Louisa Macculloch (1775-1858, 1785-1863), and since 1950, as a not-for-profit museum and garden. Founder W. Parsons Todd (1877-1976) endowed MHHM as a resource for all Morristown and Morris County residents. A Federal brick mansion, Macculloch Hall was built in 1810 by George Perrott Macculloch (1775-1858), the "Father of the Morris Canal." Today this historic house and decorative arts museum comprises nine period rooms, two exhibition galleries, a dedicated classroom, and an expansive formal garden, which is open to the public free of charge.

Garden History and Highlights

First planted in 1810 by George and Louisa Macculloch (1775-1858, 1785-1863), gardens on MHHM’s grounds have been in continuous cultivation for more than 200 years. Cultivars in this historic garden include the wisteria trellised along the rear porch, given to the Macculloch family by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1857; the sassafras tree at the far end of the lawn, believed to be the second oldest and largest sassafras tree in New Jersey; and the more than 65 varieties of heirloom roses, with cultivars dating to before 1920. Two varieties of roses, known only as "Old Macculloch Hall Roses", likely date to the earliest part of the garden’s history.

Today, the landscaped grounds are planted for seasonal bloom: daffodils, tulips and other bulbs welcome spring, followed by the historic wisteria in May, roses in June, dahlias in August, and a selection of perennials throughout the summer and fall. The grounds also feature a large kitchen garden, comprised of four beds, which serves as an outdoor classroom. Planted with herbs and tomatoes, this garden is a fitting tribute to George Macculloch, who is believed to have grown the first recorded tomato in New Jersey in 1829.