Historical Clothing & Textiles (Wardrobe Production) Internship
Reproducing historically accurate clothing in a museum setting encompasses a multitude of skills and processes, including research and development, use of period and modern construction techniques, as well as sharing this knowledge and skill with our guests who visit Plimoth Plantation. The Historical Clothing and Textiles: Wardrobe Production intern will learn, practice and apply the steps involved in reproducing period clothing for a living history museum. This will include historical research with access to departmental and museum libraries, pattern drafting, period construction techniques, and 17th-century accessories or trims (thread-wrapped buttons, card woven trim, hat making, etc.). They will also experience the unique workings of a wardrobe shop in a museum environment. This internship reports to the Manager of Historic Clothing & Textiles.
Responsibilities
- Learn to construct and garments from individual measurements to final fitting and finishing with guidance from Historic Clothing & Textiles Manager;
- Shadow Textile Artisans exhibiting in the Craft Center;
- Conduct historical research with guidance from Historic Clothing & Textiles Manager to develop and complete an independent project;
- Assist with public programming and projects, as needed (summer camp program, special events, retail projects, knitting group);
- Assist in maintenance of wardrobe issue for Living History Educators working in the 17th-century English Village and Mayflower II;
- Collaborate with other interns on an assigned, museum-wide project based on a selected interpretive theme.
Qualifications
- Basic patterning skills
- Experience with operating industrial sewing machinery
- Hand stitching skills
- Familiarity with textile vocabulary
- Knowledge of and/or interest in 17th-century history.
Work Schedule
Full-time (35 hours/week) and Part-Time (21 hours/week) internships are available. Some flexible hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend events required.
Salary Range
This is an unpaid internship. University credit is available.