Summer Harold Baquet Archive Project

Internship Program Mission Statement

The Historic New Orleans Collection’s internship program offers students and emerging public history professionals a unique opportunity to engage with collections that represent the creative heritage and rich history of Louisiana.

The Archives and Special Collections Practicum at HNOC presents an opportunity for aspiring public history professionals to immerse themselves in the study, preservation, and engagement with collections that embody the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana.

The Harold Baquet Archive Project

The Harold Baquet Archive ) represents a significant repository of visual culture that captures the essence of African‑American life in New Orleans during the last quarter of the 20th century. Comprising approximately twenty linear feet of slides, negatives, prints, contact sheets, and various other objects, this archive serves as a vital resource for scholars, historians, and those interested in understanding the complexities of urban life within a vibrant cultural milieu, including politicians and community leaders, second lines, Black Masking Indians, flambeaux, musicians, Mardi Gras, life in public housing developments, and the French Quarter and Tremé.

Intern Engagement and Learning Objectives:

• Analyze and process archival collections with attention to preservation standards.
• Conduct thorough research on diverse subjects related to archival materials.
• Develop essential skills in creating detailed and accurate records for archival collections using a professional collection management system.
• Execute standard processing and cataloging and re‑housing techniques for diverse materials.
• Implement descriptive cataloging practices using specialized collection management systems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in object handling techniques.

Project Format

This is an on-site placement. The intern will be expected to report physically to the Historic New Orleans Collection French Quarter campus and be stationed at the Williams Research Center located at 410 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130.

• Attendance:
  Regular attendance is required. Interns are expected to complete a minimum of 22 hours of engagement per week at the Williams Research Center. A specific weekly schedule will be coordinated with the intern, designated project lead(s), and program administration.
• Time Commitment:
  Within the six‑week duration of this program, the intern will complete a minimum of 100‑hours of engagement, not to exceed a total of 125‑hours.
• Professionalism and Conduct:
  Interns should exhibit professional behavior, including punctuality, respect for the organization’s staff and patrons, and adherence to library policies.

• Eligible applicants are undergraduate students of rising junior or senior classification, currently enrolled in a four‑year university located in the state of Louisiana.
• Students pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, Social Science, Cultural Studies or Humanities fields are encouraged to apply.
• Experience in scholarly research, collections of management, and/or editing is welcomed but not required.

Final date to receive applications:
Monday, Mar 16 @ 5pm CST

Organizational Department:
Williams Research Center

Project Season:
Summer 2026

Program Duration:
June 22 – July 31, 2026 (6‑Weeks)