Skyler Wurst, a current Masters candidate in History with a concentration in Public History at Southern New Hampshire University, is the 2018 recipient of Naper Settlement’s John K. and Judith H. Powell Museum Studies internship. The 16-week internship offers practical museum training and experience in a museum setting to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the museum field.
Wurst is a lifelong resident of Romeoville, Illinois and a graduate of Lewis University in Romeoville, IL with a B.A. in History. While attending Lewis, Wurst worked with the University’s Adelmann Regional History Collection, whose mission is to encourage the appreciation, study, and understanding of the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and the development of its surrounding communities. He also served as a student intern while at Lewis working with Naper Settlement’s archival collections.
Louise Howard, chief curator at Naper Settlement, who oversees the Powell internship, stated that “Skyler embodies the true spirit of this internship experience as envisioned by the Powells. He understands and values that this internship affords him a unique opportunity to work in a museum setting alongside staunch museum veterans that will provide valuable hands-on experiences for him in his chosen career field. We are thrilled with Skyler’s enthusiasm, eagerness and full embrace of this outstanding internship experience.” During his internship at the museum, Wurst will be working with both the Curatorial and Learning Experiences departments to gain general knowledge and a broad experience of how the two departments function within the context of a major museum. He will be assisting the Curatorial department with artifact processing, documentation, and rehousing and will support the Learning Experiences department with program delivery.
“I am very grateful for the Powell internship as it will provide me with a great opportunity to engage with and learn from various museum professionals, allowing me to move closer to my end goal of working in a museum. As an aspiring museum professional, I am looking forward to helping break down history for easier public consumption,” stated Wurst.
The Powell internship was established in 2012 and offers a $500 stipend to the recipient. The Late Jack Powell served as chairman of the Naperville Heritage Society from 1980-1982 and his late wife, Judy, was a long-time member of the Heritage Society’s Weed Ladies floral design volunteer corps. Wurst is the Powell internship’s sixth recipient.
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 13 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville. Located 30 miles from Chicago, the museum is home to 21 historical structures dating back as early as the 1830s. Featuring exhibits, special events, educational programming and more, Naper Settlement is where history comes to play and the community comes to connect. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.