Heritage House Stewardship InternshipAt — Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

The 26-acre Arboretum & Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton is an urban oasis with a wide variety of plants and includes a Victorian-era house. The house moved from downtown Fullerton to the Arboretum to serve as a museum. Now known as Heritage House, it once served as the medical office for Dr Clarke, one of the Fullerton’s earliest medical professionals, and the family home.

Since opening to the public in 1979, Heritage House has been a museum, offering tours and local history programs as an example of life in the late 1800s. The Heritage House Stewardship team will include up to six students who will work as a team and have the opportunity to learn about local history, collections care, medicinal plants, tour development and interpretation through real-world experience. Interns will guidance from Arboretum staff and volunteer mentors in all aspects of this internship.

• Collection Management – care and management, cataloging and recording of the collection inside the house. Assist with condition reporting as it relates to collection care, storage, and lending principles.
• Research – conduct research for exhibitions including the medicinal garden, kitchen garden and interior collection of the house.
• May also research and assist with developing a plan for additional educational activities.
• Writing – develop object labels and interpretive signage for display inside the house and in the gardens for public tours and field trips.
• Provide in-person interpretation to Arboretum visitors as needed.
• May assist promoting the house and gardens on social media and through other avenues.
• Give a presentation to Arboretum staff and volunteers at the end of the semester.

Training:

Interns will guidance from Arboretum staff and volunteer mentors in all aspects of this internship. CSUF faculty within the ANTH department will also provide guidance and training.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn aspects of museum operations, collection management, and museum functions.
• Learn data collection and research practices in provenance and exhibition development.
• Teamwork, team building, team management and leadership skills
• Project and event planning, coordination, and implementation
• Integrated pest management principles as they apply to collection care.
• Building relationships with campus community members and a stronger connection to campus
• Evaluate museum operations and programs more effectively.
• Promoting sustainability in a museum setting.
• Develop cross-disciplinary skills and work with students from other majors.
• Develop soft skills that are applicable to any workplace.