We have two interns this summer who have been hard at work since May! We are very grateful to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Internship Program and the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association's Internship Grant. These programs support this summer's interns, giving them the opportunity to have paid internship experiences at the Museum. Check out what they are working on with us this summer below, in their own words.
Katie Collins
My name is Katie Collins, I am an undergraduate at North Carolina State University studying history. Before that, I have been an intern and librarian at multiple libraries across Johnston County for 13 years, including the James Bryan Creech Public Library, Kenly Public Library, and the Selma Public Library. I am proud to be on track to be the first in my family to graduate with a Bachelor's degree, and all the work I've put in has been dedicated to my family and my community.
At the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, I am charged with creating a social media plan for the museum to garner interest in our local farm history! My passion lies in trying to make history fun and interesting for everyone, and sharing the day-to-day past with the present. My goal is to eventually work with the public in a museum setting, making history easily accessible to the wider public.
My favorite things are engaging with people, be it online or in person! And someday, I hope to continue doing that on a large scale. It's a joy to be working with the museum, and delighted to have my summer be dedicated towards these goals.
Elizabeth Popovic
I am completing a Collections and Exhibition Internship at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum this summer. My responsibilities include updating digital files on the museum’s farm tool collection as well as creating a digital exhibit on early 20th century cooking tools used on rural farms.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Appalachian State University in summer 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Art Management. I will be pursuing a master’s degree in Heritage Studies at the University of Cambridge later this fall. After graduating, I plan to continue aiding museums in the maintenance of their archives and collections.