Historic Trades Internship Part-Time, Internship Summer 2025Due Date: Friday, February 7, 2025Program runs June 2 - August 8, 2025Historic Trades at George Washington's Mount Vernon is accepting applications for the George Washington: Entrepreneur summer internship program. With a focus on living history at both the Farm and the Gristmill & Distillery, this internship provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to gain in-depth knowledge about George Washington, 18th-century agriculture and industry, and enslavement at Mount Vernon. It also provides an opportunity to gain experience as front-line staff in the museum field.The Farm is a working, four-acre, demonstration site that interprets Washington's promotion of scientific innovation and sustainable agriculture and highlights the lives of the enslaved people who carried out Washington's vision. The Gristmill & Distillery site (located 3 miles from the main estate) emphasizes the industrial aspects of Mount Vernon. The reconstructed Gristmill utilizes waterpower to operate millstones grinding corn and wheat. The Distillery is a fully-functional reconstruction of Washington's whiskey distillery. Interns will work at both locations.This program is open to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college by the start of the internship on June 2, 2025, and will not have graduated as of June 2, 2025. Applicants should be comfortable with public speaking and available during the entire ten-week internship period of June 2 - August 8, 2025. Candidates with a background or a keen interest in history are preferred.This position requires the ability to work outdoors in hot and humid weather; to wear an 18th-century costume; to do rigorous physical activity including demonstrating 18th century farming methods, field work, and milling; to work in a dusty environment; to lift and carry 50 pounds; to conduct hands-on activities; to speak with guests of all ages, and to conduct and present and independent research project. No previous experience using 18th-century tools or methods is required.All interns will complete a training program in interpretive methodology and historical content. Key topics include 18th century economics and agricultural methods, distilling, milling, and slavery. Upon completion of training, interns will work as full-time Historic Trades Interpreters under the direction of the professional interpretive staff. Interns will be doing costumed, living history interpretation. They will be expected to wear period clothing, provided by Mount Vernon. Interns do not need to be in character.Interns are expected to work a five-day, 40-hour week that will include weekends and some evenings. In addition, interns will participate in department-sponsored field trips to other historic sites and museums in the region. Interns will be required to complete a research project on George Washington, agriculture, the enslaved community, 18th century trades, or related topics. Historic Trades staff will work with colleges and universities to ensure that, if applicable, course credit requirements are met.This is a paid internship. Interns will receive a stiped of $12/hour (distributed biweekly). Interns are also eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses to and from the Mount Vernon region, up to $350 round-trip. As employees of Mount Vernon, interns are required to adhere to Mount Vernon's Employee Handbook policies. Proof of an up-to-date tetanus vaccination will be required before the first day of work.For more information about the program, please visit
Please include with your application:Applicant EssayIn essay format, please address the following:
- Your unique or noteworthy qualifications for the George Washington: Entrepreneur Internship
- What benefits and potential pitfalls living history techniques have in a museum setting
- Why Washington's legacy as an entrepreneur, an agricultural innovator, and an enslaver remain relevant today
This document should be a maximum of two typed, double-spaced pages, and submitted as a separate .doc, .docx or .pdf file.
Statement of Related Skills & ActivitiesIn the same document as your applicant essay, but starting on a new page, please describe three specific activities or projects that are relevant to this internship. These may be academic papers you have written or presented; employment or leadership positions you have held; experiences at museums or living history sites; work in agricultural settings; public speaking; travel; or other experiences that will help you be a better intern.This statement should be a maximum of one typed, double-spaced page, and should be submitted in the same document as your applicant essay, but starting on a new page.
Chronological ResumePlease attach a brief chronological resume, not to exceed two pages, submitted as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file.
Transcript(s)Please attach an unofficial transcript as provided by your college or university's registrar's office. Transcripts should include declared major, grades for each course, and cumulative GPA. If you have attended more than one college or university, provide a transcript for each. Please submit as a PDF. (Screenshots, JPGs and other image files are not acceptable).
Professor RecommendationThis recommendation should be written by a professor from your major's department. He or she should elaborate on the following questions:
- How would you describe the interest, enthusiasm, and ability of this applicant in his/her major?
- Is he/she able to address groups and/or unfamiliar audiences?
- Do you believe he/she can engage with a varied audience interpreting history, agriculture, etc. at Mount Vernon?
This recommendation should be submitted on university or college letterhead. It can be attached to the application by the applicant or emailed to
...@mountvernon.org in .doc or .pdf format.
Additional RecommendationThis recommendation should be written by another mentor, such as your faculty advisor, a professor or teacher, an employer, or your supervisor for a volunteer activity. Your recommender should elaborate on the following questions:
What are the abilities of this applicant relative to his/her volunteer activities, academic achievements, and/or employment?Which skills or traits do you believe would make this applicant a strong candidate to participate in this internship?This recommendation should be submitted on the letterhead of the organization the writer comes from. It can be attached to the application by the applicant or emailed to
...@mountvernon.org in .doc or .pdf format.
Application Checklist: - Application (Submit online)
- Applicant Essay (submitted as .doc or PDF file)
- Related Skills & Activities (included in the same file as your Applicant Essay, but starting on a new page)
- Chronological Resume (submitted as .doc or PDF file)
- Unofficial Transcript(s) (submitted as PDF file)
- Professor Recommendation (submitted by applicant or recommender as .doc or PDF file)
- Additional Recommendation (submitted by applicant or recommender as .doc or PDF file)
Submission Instructions:Online SubmissionsThe application and all supporting documents should be submitted through the Mount Vernon Human Resources online employment application program.This can be found on the employment page at and by clicking the appropriate position opening. Use the Apply for this Position button at the bottom of the position description page.Email SubmissionsWe do not accept applications over email. However, you may submit some supporting documents by email, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. Please send these materials to: ...@mountvernon.org.
All parts of the application must be received by Friday, February 7, 2025.For more information about the internship, please email ...@mountvernon.org or call Sara Marie Massee at (703)###-####.Mount Vernon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Mount Vernon will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.The George Washington: Entrepreneur internship is offered through the generous support of foundations honoring Ezra Taft Benson and Russell G. Mawby, and by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.