An Intern's Experience

by Tyler Ostrander, Elmira College Intern

Over the course of my internship, I have worked on many assignments that will assist me in the future, as I plan to become a curator after finishing graduate school.  I have done research on World War I objects within the museum’s collection, assisted in preparing the museum’s new permanent exhibit, and even created a virtual exhibit on the watercolor paintings of Talitha Botsford.  

My personal favorite, though, was designing the museum’s “New to the Vault” exhibit.  For this exhibit, I had to look in the museum’s database to find objects that were recently added to the collection, choose what I found interesting and what would fit in the space, and arrange these objects inside the vault.  These objects included the shorts and shirt that Carl Proper wore for the 1996 Summer Olympic torch relay, a Japanese belt picked up by an American soldier in Okinawa during World War II, and even a purse made from alligator skin (with the head and feet still attached.)  This was the first time I had the opportunity to design an exhibit, and I found it quite enjoyable.  This internship at the Chemung County Historical Society was a great opportunity for me, as I have not only learned with detail the inner workings of a museum; I have also solidified my interest in seeking a career in the museum field in the near future.  In closing, I would like to thank the staff at the Chemung County Historical Society for making this experience as informative and entertaining as possible.

New to the Vault exhibit designed by Tyler Ostrander