The Museum of Durham History is a 21st-century museum that uses stories about people, places, and things to foster curiosity, encourage further inquiry, and promote an understanding of diverse perspectives about the Durham community and its history. The Museum is putting its mission into action through a personal approach to history that sets this museum apart: an innovative, community model that engages with history through stories—the personal memories, experiences and family lore of our shared heritage.
In 1942, Camp Butner, a World War II U.S. Army infantry training camp, was built in Durham, Person, and Granville counties. The camp brought about 35,000 GIs and civilian employees to the area and forced over 400 rural Durham families to relocate. A Durham Morning Herald reporter called the influx of soldiers into Durham “a tidal wave of khaki.” The Museum of Durham History is planning an exhibition that presents the history of Camp Butner for its series Durham A-Z: K is for Khaki.
PhD students in any discipline in the humanities or interpretative social sciences are welcome to apply.
Essential Duties May Include
- Gaining community input through front-end evaluation and group reminiscence sessions and by attending relevant community events
- Establishing guiding research questions, target audiences, and key stakeholders for the exhibition
- Conducting research including oral-history interviews with veterans and others involved in Camp Butner ad archival research
- Analyzing research to determine a cohesive narrative for the exhibition; establishing exhibition “thesis” and interpretive goals
- Developing a schematic design for the exhibition
- Identifying and obtaining high-resolution images for use exhibition
- Writing and refine exhibition label text
- Working with graphic designer on text and image layout
- Overseeing final design files and exhibit installation
- Writing grants to help fund the exhibition and related programs
To Apply
Follow the application instructions on the VH@Duke Internship Program page.
