Archival InternAt — Escondido History Center
The Escondido History Center is a small community museum and nonprofit located in Grape Day Park. We preserve artifacts, documents, and local history materials, and we’re seeking interns to support our ongoing collections and archival organization work. Students will help sort and label physical folders, assist with basic cataloging, and prepare items for future research and exhibits. Interns will gain hands-on experience working directly with historic objects and learning practical collections care in a public history setting. This is a strong opportunity for students interested in archives, museums, or local history who want meaningful, resume-building experience and the chance to make a visible impact on a small institution.
By the end of the internship, students will have hands-on experience in collections care and object handling. They will learn to organize archival materials, create consistent labels, and follow basic cataloging procedures. Students will gain skills in identifying item types, recording condition notes, preparing artifacts for storage or display, and assisting staff with exhibit preparation. The internship also develops attention to detail, problem-solving, and an understanding of how day-to-day collections work functions in a community history setting.
Students will receive an initial orientation to the Escondido History Center, including an introduction to our collections, organizational procedures, and safety guidelines for handling artifacts. Staff will provide step-by-step training on sorting, labeling, and cataloging archival materials, as well as guidance on assisting with exhibit preparation. Students may have the opportunity to support projects such as the Latinos in Oral History initiative, with staff providing guidance if involved. Training will be ongoing as students take on tasks, with staff available for supervision, feedback, and support to ensure accurate and careful work. No work with minors or vulnerable populations is required, so Mandated Reporter training is not needed.
Student may be required to lift heavy, dusty boxes. Occasional work in an enclosed archival room with limited space.
To apply for an internship with the Escondido History Center, please send your resume and a brief letter of interest to ehc@escondidohistory.org . For questions, email ehc@escondidohistory.org or call 760-743-8207 Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 5 | hours per week |