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Lyon G. Tyler Department of History Graduate Program

Apprenticeships

The Department of History offers a unique opportunity for students in the master's and doctoral programs to obtain practical experience in a variety of career fields related to history. Applicants apply for these experiences by following the instructions of the History Department's supplemental application.

Students may apply for the following apprenticeships and internships:

• Archives and Manuscript Collections: Under the supervision of archivists and manuscript curators at the Earl Gregg Swem Library and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, apprentices and interns receive instruction in the handling of a wide variety of manuscript and archival material, including papers, printed matter, photographs, and microforms.
  
  
• Editing of Historical Books and Manuscripts: Editing apprentices receive formal instruction in editorial methods and acquire practical experience in copy-editing, proofreading, and other phases of historical publication under the supervision of the editorial staff of the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture. After completing the editorial apprenticeship, interns may obtain further experience in historical publishing by serving as editorial assistants.
  
  
• Historical Archaeology: Apprentices and interns receive instruction in all aspects of historical archaeology, including excavation methods, surveying and map-making, archaeological photography, identification and analysis of artifacts, methods of preservation, and the interpretation of archaeological data. They also participate in current research at the Center for Archaeological Research, the Archaeological Conservation Center, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. As part of the archaeology apprenticeship, students are required to enroll in an Anthropology course (the exact course to be determined in consultation with the Graduate Director) during the academic year.
  
  
• Humanities Computing: Apprentices and interns receive instruction and practical training in the use of computers for preservation and research. Students work with the Research Division of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation or at the Earl Gregg Swem Library to build digital archive databases of books and manuscripts. Applicants should have some experience with computer applications, and be willing to learn a great deal more.
  
  
• Vernacular Architecture: This apprenticeship introduces students to the theory and practice of historical architecture. Students begin with a summer field school on the methods of architectural history. In the fall and spring, they work 10-15 hours per week as apprentices in the Colonial Williamsburg Department of Architectural Research. The apprenticeship is open to students with no background in architecture or architectural history as well as to students with extensive backgrounds in those fields.