Description of Institution:
The Newark Historical Society (NHS) is a non-profit, all-volunteer run organization that works to collect, preserve, and tell the history of Newark, Delaware. Established in 1981, our museum and collections are housed in the historic Newark Passenger Railroad Station, built in 1877 and located at 429 South College Avenue, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Newark History Museum tells the rich history of the City of Newark and its surroundings, and works to collect and preserve the archival collections that share the unique story of our area. The museum is free and open to the public from April to November each year, where we give visitors from all walks of life the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for our shared past.
Internship Goals and Objectives:
Over the past year, the Newark Historical Society has been undergoing a lengthy renovation of the historic Newark Passenger Railroad Station. During this time, the NHS is launching a series of initiatives and programs to more actively engage with the regional community, including hosting a Social Media and Digital Content Intern to coordinate the effort to expand our social media and online presence through the production of digital content. In addition to hosting content on appropriate social media platforms, this initiative will also digitally engage with our peer institutions and the wider public, growing our network of contacts and increasing our virtual footprint. Collectively, the intern’s work will enhance the Newark Historical Society’s digital media presence, both through the relationships that they build and the content that they create.
Responsibilities:
Under the direction of NHS staff, interns will be responsible for the development and maintenance of a creative and consistent social media presence. Specific responsibilities include:
- Research: Research sources of creative digital inspiration, including peer institutions and historical organizations. Research and select visually appealing topics and items relevant to the history of Newark, Delaware, and its environs.
- Content Creation: Create content for social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and other relevant sites. Help plan creative and engaging social media content to reach a wider audience. Create and maintain content calendars to schedule posts. Ensure the Historical Society’s messaging is consistent, engaging, and on-brand.
- Social Media Management: Manage social media accounts and monitor their performance. Analyze social media metrics to evaluate the reception of content and identify areas of success.
- Engagement: Engage with the online community by responding to comments and direct messages. Build relationships with peer institutions by liking, sharing, and commenting on relevant posts. Develop strategies on building outreach with younger audiences, including University of Delaware students.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work independently and efficiently meet deadlines.
- Strong writing and communication skills.
- Strong creativity skills, including problem-solving, brainstorming, and adaptability to foster engaging content creation.
- Interest in working with historical materials and historical research, especially local history.
- Familiarity with common social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
Requirements:
The internship position would require 10 hours per week for 13.5 weeks. Research will primarily be conducted within the University of Delaware’s Library and Special Collections Department, while other work will be completed remotely. Weekly virtual meetings with NHS staff will be required to monitor and direct progress.
To Apply: Interested applicants should email a resume and cover letter to CAS Internship Coordinator Lois Stoehr, lstoehr@udel.edu, by noon on Friday, December 12. Select applicants will participate in a 20-minute Zoom interview with Newark Historical Society staff on December 17 and 18. Internships are unpaid but potentially eligible for 3 hours of academic credit through the UD Museum Studies program.