Name: Lauren McCouch
Class Year: 2024
Major: French and International Studies
Hometown: Harleysville, PA
Internship Organization: American Philosophical Society
Job Title: 2024 Curatorial Internship
Location: Philadelphia, PA
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
We are currently preparing the APS Museum's upcoming 2024 exhibition, tentatively titled "Natural History in America, 1776-1850." It is a constantly evolving project, so every day I'm pivoting to working on something new - sometimes preparing bibliographies, researching historical figures and institutions, and sometimes working hands-on with the collections in the conservation lab or reading room. As a curatorial intern, I am working with the APS research fellow in charge of curating the exhibition, as well as the rest of the museum department, to ensure that the final project will be well-researched and provide a narrative experience for the public.
Why did you apply for this internship?
It seemed like a great opportunity to apply some of the knowledge I gained from my college experience and learn some entirely new skills. I have already been able to use my French major to translate some letters written in French among the early naturalists. There are so many kinds of unique opportunities for humanities majors, even if they aren't completely within your area of expertise!
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
My favorite part has been trying to solve some of the unique mysteries that arise when assembling material for an exhibition. Is that chair really the one Thomas Jefferson sat in when writing the Declaration of Independence, or is that just a story that has been passed down? Is that stain on a page of Audubon's Birds of America the result of aging or someone painting over it? Where is this specific bird engraving that everyone is referencing in their letters? It is incredibly easy to go down a rabbit hole, but everyone in the department is so supportive and loves to explore these niche topics as well.
What is most rewarding about your internship?
The most rewarding part of this experience for me is knowing that all of the work I am putting in will go towards a good purpose — public education. I am also very grateful that everyone at the APS is attuned to the nuances of presenting this kind of exhibition and that there has been plenty of dialogue about how best to represent people who have historically been excluded from mainstream naturalism narratives. The exhibition is committed to making people think critically and reconsider many of their impressions of American history, and I hope that our work will help educate the public on these concerns.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.