Thomas Cole Interns and Fellows

The Thomas Cole Historic Site welcomes student interns year round to work on a variety of projects and gain valuable in-depth museum experience. Interns play a vital role, participating in day-to-day operations, as well as in moving the institution forward to the next level of museum performance. Internships are available year-round (spring, summer, and fall semesters). Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Thomas Cole Fellows

Join the inaugural class of Thomas Cole Fellows, a new program that is designed for exceptional graduating or recently graduated college seniors to gain hands-on experience in the museum field. Cole Fellows will assist the Thomas Cole Historic Site with a project that is central to the site's mission, and will have access to learning opportunities for developing their own careers. The program runs from June 1 through November 1, candidates must be available for the entire five months or more, and housing is provided. Please call Joanna Frang at (518) 943-7465 extension 2 for more information.

Download Information Sheet about Thomas Cole Fellows program.

Undergraduate Interns

Position Description: Interns at Cedar Grove will work closely with the Executive Director and the Education Coordinator on projects in the areas of exhibition research, planning and design; special event planning and facilitation; interpretive program research and development; volunteer coordination and visitor services. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in all areas of museum operations. Academic credit can be arranged for students who complete a minimum number of hours per week, as determined by their college or other academic institution.

Responsibilities: Interns will be responsible for the completion of personal research projects dependent on areas of interest and institutional needs. A percentage of time each week will be dedicated to filling visitor services needs i.e. working in the Visitor Center or providing tours. Training for these responsibilities will be provided.

Qualifications: Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for these positions. Students who have completed at least two semesters of study in the following fields: American History, American Studies, Art History, Education, Humanities, Museum Studies or Public History, are encouraged to apply. The successful candidates will be self-motivated, and able to work well with others.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter and one page statement of purpose explaining why you want to work at Cedar Grove and what you hope to gain and contribute. Please send application materials by mail to:

Attn: Education Coordinator
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site
PO Box 426
Catskill, New York, 12414

For more information about our internship program: Please feel free to contact Joanna Frang, Education Coordinator, at (518) 943-7465 ext. 2, or by email at education@thomascole.org.

Intern Research

integral to the intern experience

Overview: Interns at Cedar Grove are expected to engage in a semester-long research project exploring some aspect of Cedar Grove, Thomas Cole, or the Hudson River School of Art. Cedar Grove internships are an opportunity for undergraduate and/or graduate students to engage in applied research that directly benefits both the student and the institution. Past interns have helped Cedar Grove unravel the life story of Thomas Cole through hands-on research with primary documents and object collections; interns have also strengthened our interpretative program through research on historic landscapes, furnishings, and material culture.

Intern Research: Please feel free to browse the following research papers by former Cedar Grove interns:

Xiao Situ, Vassar College ‘04
The Landscape Within: Solitude and Selfhood in the Work of Asher B. Durand

Simon Kawitzky, Vassar College ‘06
Ralph Blakelock and The Ghost Dance: The end of "primitive life in America"

Caroline Gillaspie, Mount Holyoke College ‘08
The Influence and Application of Thomas Cole’s Color Theories

Rebecca Slutzky, Green Mountain College ‘08
Tourism and Art: The Greene County Case

Lowell Clare, Bard College ‘09
On Thomas Cole and "see[ing] into the life of things"

Elizabeth Gardner, Vassar College ‘09
Interactive Education at Cedar Grove