Archival Internship - Israelite House of David's Archives & Collections (3/27/26)

Posted on 1/29/26

Founded as a religious commune in 1903, the Israelite House of David was home to over 1,000 members at its peak in the 1920s. The community supported itself with numerous agricultural and industrial enterprises, as well as an amusement park, an exhibition baseball team, and professional touring bands. The colony played a pivotal role in the development of Southwest Michigan. Today, the colony now operates effectively as a historic trust, with the Archives & Collections established in 2021 to preserve the history of the House of David.

Find more information at https://www.israelitehouseofdavid.org/.

The Israelite House of David Archives & Collections is accepting applications for one or two Archival Interns. The primary duty of the intern(s) will be to support the organization's efforts to organize, catalog, and rehouse its Local History Collection objects.

Project Details:

Due to the significant impact the Israelite House of David has had on the history, culture, and economy of Southwestern Michigan and vice versa, and in the interest of framing the colony’s place in that history, the Archives & Collection houses a Local History Collection. Chosen interns will assist with the organizing, rehousing, and cataloging Local History Collection objects covering various businesses, events, and organizations from Berrien County.

This project entails:

• Photographing Local History objects
• Sorting, organizing, and rehousing items
• Digitization and cataloging of collections using Catalogit collections software
• Creation of Finding Aids
• Social media posts relating to project work

Qualifications:

• Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates in/from Museum Studies, Public History, History, Art History, Archival Science, Library and Information Science, or related programs

Preferred Skills and Proficiencies:

• One year working or volunteering in a cultural institution
• Experience digitizing, using collection software, preferably CatalogIt or similar system
• Knowledge of the public history field generally, but preference given to those with experience with archival work

Internship Details:

• 12 week long internship
• 32 hours per week
• Preferred start date of May 19, flexible
• Optional dormitory-style housing at a nearby college (3.7 mi away)
• Compensation of $16/hr with housing, $19/hr without housing
• Optional funding to attend a professional conference of intern(s) choosing, during or up to a year after completion of internship (covers registration only)

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to our Collections Manager, Ms. Olivia Beebe, at oliviab@israelitehouseofdavid.org

Deadline: March 27, 2026

Interviews will be conducted in early April

Accessibility Note:

Shiloh, the historic mansions where the Archives & Collections are housed, is only accessible through multiple staircases; there is not an elevator. There are also multiple cats on the premises, both in the buildings and on the grounds. Please note in your cover letter if either of these would be an issue, so accommodations can be discussed