Internship Description
This internship offers graduate students in art history or decorative arts a unique opportunity to gain hands-on curatorial experience at one of the most distinguished historic house museums in the United States. Grounded in Hillwood’s mission to preserve and share the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the intern will contribute to projects that support the care, interpretation, and presentation of the museum’s world-class collections and gardens.

The selected candidate will work closely with the Curatorial, Collections, and Archives & Special Collections teams on a range of research, documentation, and collections care initiatives. Projects for Summer 2026 may include: reviewing and updating object file folders, researching and documenting objects for exhibitions and new installations, assisting with Sèvres porcelain and other decorative arts research, matching objects to their corresponding storage boxes, and supporting publication development for Art of Entertaining

Tasks may involve object cataloguing, archival review, exhibition preparation, photography coordination, and contributing to checklist development. The intern will also follow the progression of several upcoming exhibitions (working titles: Gold, Fashion, Art of Entertaining) and may shadow staff during accessory studies and other specialized research activities.

Beyond project work, Hillwood offers a robust learning environment. Interns will have opportunities to meet with museum professionals across departments, pursue independent research, and explore cultural institutions throughout the Washington, D.C. region.

This internship provides a comprehensive introduction to curatorial practice in a setting that brings together fine and decorative arts, historic preservation, collections stewardship, and public engagement.

About Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Located in Washington, D.C., Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is the former residence of businesswoman, philanthropist, and collector Marjorie Merriweather Post. The museum is internationally renowned for its exceptional collections of Russian imperial art—including Fabergé eggs—and 18th- and 19th-century French decorative arts. The estate also features one of the nation’s finest orchid collections and twenty-five acres of landscaped gardens. Through its exhibitions, research, and publications, Hillwood preserves and celebrates the artistic legacy and collecting vision of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Application Procedure
Complete the online application and submit the following:

• Case study:
  Write and submit a case study (500 words):Select a decorative arts object from the Hillwood collection and explain how archival research and careful documentation (such as updating object files or matching objects to their storage boxes) help museums preserve and interpret their collections.
• Resume
• Cover Letter