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2023 Internship
Indigenous Archive Project
for the Eastern Shore of Maryland

Part-time positions to begin Spring 2023
Full-time positions offered in Summer 2023

These grant-funded positions are for student interns to serve as research assistants for a project relating to Native Americans living currently and historically in the region of the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The project seeks to expand upon the records and resources provided on the Maryland State Archives’ Mayis Indigenous Records website, with funding provided through the generous support of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. The website is an educational pathway for teachers and historians, as well as a user-friendly experience for youth and adults to learn about their heritage.

The interns will conduct research on documents from the Maryland government to locate records of Indigenous Peoples’ interactions with colonists. Records to be consulted may include land records, land patents, Maryland State Papers, county court records and other series that are not yet incorporated into the Mayis website. Additionally, the work plan will give special attention to the records of Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties as part of expanding our archive of Indigenous records for the Eastern Shore. The ability to read hand-written documents from historic time periods is critical to this work, as the interns will help to identify new resources and transcribe information into a database.

Interns will also assist archivists in preparing for educational outreach programming and oral history interviews with members of Indigenous communities. Project assistants will be invited to write social media posts about their research, historical topics, or experiences working on the project.

Students with personal or academic experiences related to public history, Indigenous history, Traditional Knowledge, Maryland history, anthropology, ethnographic studies are encouraged to apply.

Background

The Maryland State Archives in Annapolis, Maryland, is walking distance from the Annapolis historic district. The Archives is an independent agency within the Maryland State government with a number of responsibilities, first and foremost is to be the central depository for government records of permanent value. The Special Collections Department supervises the care, preservation, accessioning, and description of non-state agency generated records of historical or cultural significance, which include personal letters, diaries, organizational records, newspapers, photographs, maps, and documents.

Preferred Requirements

  • Ability to read and interpret historic hand-writing or other transcription skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong writing and research skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Familiarity or experience with library or archive research
  • Ability to lift heavy boxes and climb ladders
  • Working knowledge of spreadsheets and Google Apps

Contact Information

    Maria Day, Senior Director of Special Collections, Conservation & Library Services
    Maryland State Archives
    Phone: 410-260-6410
    Email: Maria.Day@maryland.gov

Apply via State Jobs Apps website:

Please note: If you are specifically interested in this position, please indicate Indigenous Archive Project in your answer for number 9 in the Supplemental Questions Section of the application.

** You may apply for this position, in addition to all the available internship positions on the same application.

Additional questions? Email Maria.Day@maryland.gov


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© Copyright December 15, 2023 Maryland State Archives