Enter manuscripts into collective access
Our collection of manuscript files is constantly increasing. Learn how to use the Collective Access museum database software and get to know the ACHS Manuscript Files as you help us get and keep our records up to date. This allows staff, interns, patrons and volunteers to find needed information quickly when they are doing research. Opportunities to write entries for the ACHS History Blog, or articles for our bimonthly newsletter are available as part of this internship.
time commitment: 5 hours per week
moving the photograph collection
New photographs are cataloged and added to the ACHS Photograph Collection each week, and we are making some changes in order to continue having room for all of them. This project involves physically moving photographs into a new location, checking on their condition, and updating the records in our Collective Access museum database software to reflect any changes so that the photographs don’t get lost.
time commitment: 5 hours per week
Intern Delaney organized five large bins of Nowthen history, and started her graduate degree from Simmons University.
BE LIKE DELANEY!
The ACHS Collections are large and varied. With so many different volunteers and staff members working with them over the years, we know that some collection items have wandered off. This project will give you a chance to really dig into the collections, as you pick a shelf in our stacks to check box contents and location against the records in our Collective Access museum database software.
The goal of this project is to make sure that the physical arrangement of our collections matches our database records, and to update or add records to the database when needed to be sure that every item in the collection can easily be located by searching the database. Opportunities to write entries for the ACHS History Blog, or articles for our bimonthly newsletter are available as part of this internship.
TIME COMMITMENT: 10 HOURS PER WEEK
create collection finding aids
While most of ACHS’ archival collections (organizational records from a specific institution, or papers from a particular individual or family, for example) are cataloged in our Collective Access museum database software, they are less accessible to the public than we would like. During this project, you’ll learn how to create a finding aid, a document used in archives to tell users where a collection comes from and what its contents are. In order to write the finding aid for a collection, you’ll get to research those materials and the person or organization that created them, as well as doing any physical organization of the collection that might be needed. Your finished finding aid will then go up on the ACHS website in order to make our collections more accessible to users.
time commitment: 10 hours per week
research project: lobby or travelling exhibit
During this project you will (with guidance from ACHS Staff) choose a topic in Anoka County history that is interesting to you, and then perform in-depth research using the ACHS Collections and other resources. The second part of the project will involve putting together an exhibit with text, artifacts, and photographs for display either in the ACHS lobby exhibit space, or in any of the several places around the county where ACHS brings traveling exhibits.
time commitment: 20 hours per week
Research project: objects collection
Do you like historical objects and artifacts? Do you have some knowledge or expertise relating to historic tools, dishes or clothing? This project would allow you to dig into ACHS’ Object Collections, looking at something that is of personal interest to you. You’ll examine each object and report on the following items: the object’s condition and approximate date; any interesting facts about the object’s history or use; and the object’s connection to Anoka County. The goal of this project is to have a more in-depth catalog of our artifacts so that their use in exhibits becomes quicker and easier. Opportunities to write entries for the ACHS History Blog, or articles for our bimonthly newsletter are available as part of this internship.
Hennepin Technical College students Cameron, Christi, and Chaeli created video and digital content for the History Center in the form of 2 Minute History.
BE LIKE CCC!
During this project you will choose a topic in Anoka County history that you find interesting, then perform in-depth research using the ACHS Collections and other resources.
Next step: Create a product ACHS can use to engage the public. This could include a history program, workshop, video, phone app, game for the Multi-Touch table, or however you best get your information. Surprise us with your ideas!
TIME COMMITMENT: 20 HOURS PER WEEK