Students with an interest in history – particularly local Berkshire and colonial history – can apply for an internship at the Bidwell House Museum.

The internship experience at the Museum has two primary elements: interns will learn about colonial Berkshire history, the Bidwell family, the house, the property, and the collection, along with how docents give tours, leading to giving tours of the Museum as a docent. They can also choose a research topic on which to write a short 2-3 page paper or work on a time-specific project with Museum staff.

If the Museum is closed for tours, interns will help with office, archival, and collections-based projects. There are also opportunities for becoming a garden intern: learn about historic horticulture while assisting with our heritage, herb, and flower gardens.

Students gain valuable skills in research, public speaking, and working in a professional environment. This internship is a great skill-builder for students looking to continue their education in history and history-adjacent fields.

Recent summer interns have come from the following towns and schools: Adams; Great Barrington; Lenox; Monterey; New Marlborough; Pittsfield; Sandisfield; South Lee; Tyringham; Ashland, OR; Fort Mill, SC; New York City; Albany Academy; Bard College at Simon’s Rock; College of the Holy Cross; Ethical Culture Fieldston School; Lenox Memorial Middle and High School; Miss Hall’s School; Monument Mountain Regional High School; Mount Everett Regional High School; Pittsfield High School; Smith College; University of Connecticut; Ursinus College; Williams College; and more.

Interns are typically at the Museum on Monday, Thursday, and Friday and we ask that you work 8-10 days to qualify for the stipend.  An intern can spread their hours out through the summer or concentrate them over just a few weeks. Interns can also be asked to help with Museum events on the weekend, with those hours counting towards your total internship hours. Internships can be flexible and work with your schedule.

If you are interested in a possible internship with the Museum, please call or email Heather Kowalski, Executive Director, with any questions about this program: bidwellhouse@gmail.com, 413-528-6888. An application can be found HERE. Deadline for applications is May 3, 2024.