Tuskegee University
09/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 11:11
Tuskegee University Department of Archives hosts Robert F. Smith Interns
Tuskegee University Department of Archives hosts Robert F. Smith Interns
September 20, 2024
Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, PublicRelations and Marketing
Tuskegee University Archives talking with student intern Karin Barnes.
During a visit through the Tuskegee University Archives and Legacy Museum not long after arriving on campus this summer, Dr. Mark A. Brown and First Lady Gwen Brown met two interns assigned through a partnership with the National Museum of African American History and the Robert F. Smith Internship Program.
Karin Barnes, a junior history major from Clark Atlanta University, and Ivy-Monet Johnson, a graduate of the University of Florida, with degrees in Anthropology and Museum Studies, were working this summer to preserve more than 750 photographic negatives and audio reels.
The program, funded by philanthropist Robert F. Smith, offers innovative internship opportunities to train the next generation of museum professionals in historically significant settings like Tuskegee University. Their focus included imaging, document scanning, audio media preservation, object conservation, and oral history documentation, providing an invaluable resource for students, faculty, researchers, and the general public.
"I had the pleasure of meeting with Karin and Ivy-Monet and was shown again how Tuskegee is training others to provide valuable service to our country," said Dr. Brown. "The research they are learning will document a culture and use techniques that will ensure preservation for generations to come. Their dedication to understanding and preserving African American heritage aligns perfectly with the mission of Tuskegee University, and we are proud to have hosted them as they continue their journey in museum and archival studies."
During the 12-week internship, Barnes and Johnson participated in cross-training opportunities in the Legacy Museum, where they gained experience in preventive conservation and the restoration of historic collections, including ceremonial batons used in Tuskegee's commencement ceremonies and an agricultural display by Dr. George Washington Carver.
Barnes and Johnson also participated in professional development at the 2024 Association of African American Museums (AAAM) annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland. There, they connected with experts in African American material culture and gained insight into the preservation of cultural heritage.
© 2024 Tuskegee University
Dr Brown and Mrs Brown observe the BTW display case.Student intern Ivy Monet Johnson loads the audio reel. Dr. Brown and Mrs. Brown observe the visitors book.