Public History Intern
About the Hingham Historical Society
The Hingham Historical Society is a member- and donor-supported nonprofit dedicated to promoting American history through the lens of one extraordinary colonial town on Boston’s South Shore. Founded in 1914, our mission to collect, preserve, and share Hingham’s history is advanced through three historic museums—the Hingham Heritage Museum at Old Derby Academy, the 1686 Old Ordinary, and the National Historic Landmark Benjamin Lincoln House—along with a collection of more than 23,000 objects.
Our museums are within walking distance of one another in the heart of historic downtown Hingham. With a robust annual calendar of tours, programs, and community events, the Society is actively realizing its strategic vision to become a thriving, growing, and sustainable regional museum known for excellence, warmth, and meaningful visitor experiences.
This is a unique and exciting moment at the Hingham Historical Society. As a result of our overall growth, strong leadership and strategic plan, we are able to raise significant funds for Collections Acquisition and have developed a strong format for exhibitions. After several years of organizing our existing Archives storage and the collections at our two historic house museums, we are planning for a major next step: a move to purpose-built archives and collections storage and team workspace at the Annex at our Old Ordinary property.
Position Overview
The Hingham Historical Society is seeking a paid summer intern (May-August 2026) with a passion for sharing history and engaging with others to assist with its busy tour season. The Hingham Historical Society is a growing public history organization that conducts engaging historical tours around Hingham, Massachusetts, and within its three historic properties. Given the country’s 250th anniversary (the semiquincentennial) we are expecting an increase in tourism and revolutionary focused programming throughout the summer.
The internship is four days a week from Wed-Sat, for five hours daily from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The internship pays $15 an hour plus tips received from tour guests. Tours include the Hingham Heritage Museum, which includes our new Witness exhibit, the 1686 Old Ordinary, the Benjamin Lincoln House - a National Historic Landmark, as well as both cart and walking tours around downtown Hingham Square. There is a week of paid training to prepare for the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing engaging tours to visitors from all around the world
- Participating in school field trips in late May and early June
- Assisting in the opening and closing of the Hingham Heritage Museum, the 1686 Old Ordinary, and the Benjamin Lincoln House
- Managing the Society’s presence in Hingham’s July 4th parade on July 4th 8AM - 12PM
- Managing and operating the Hingham Historical Society’s small retail shop including operation of point of sale systems and ensuring the safety of property
- Operating a low-speed EV golf cart and ensuring guests’ safety
- Assisting with programs and events
- Ensuring the safety of museum visitors, properties and collections
- If comfortable, on occasion offer tours in period costume
- At all times, being a hospitable representative of the Hingham Historical Society
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Great public speaker
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time in the heat
- Friendly and engaging demeanor
- Willingness to learn and read tour scripts/guides
- Dependable and prompt
- Excellent verbal communication
- Can-do, positive attitude, compatible with a small but mighty, fast-paced, non-profit team, and the ability to wear many hats
- Clean driving record
Preferred but not required
- Experience as a docent or tour guide
- Experience working with children
- Knowledge in American/Boston/Massachusetts/Public History
- Experience working or volunteering with a museum or non-profit organization
Schedule & Working Conditions
May-August, Wed-Sat, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 20 hrs/week.
*The following field trip dates interns are expected to attend if possible:
Wednesday, May 20th
Friday, June 5th
Monday, June 8th
Interns will be asked to abide by the Historical Society’s dress code for all tour guides. This includes an officially sanctioned yellow Hingham Historical Society shirt, vest, pullover, sweater, or jacket. Volunteers are required to wear pants on any day below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. No jeans, yoga pants, pajama pants, or sweats. On days where it is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, volunteers may wear knee length shorts or skirts. No denim skirts or shorts. Volunteers should refrain from wearing pants and skirts with graphics, symbols, or words. This dress code applies to all genders and sexes.
Compensation & Benefits
$3,000 stipend ($15 an hour)
To Apply
Please email a brief cover letter and resume to careers@hinghamhistorical.org with APPLICATION – SUMMER INTERN - TULLY PUBLIC HISTORY in the subject line. Qualified applicants will be asked to interview over Zoom. The application deadline is Monday, March 9th.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Hingham Historical Society does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religious creed, national origin, marital status, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.