The Valentine Museum

Through funding by the Kip Kephart Foundation and in memory of Bobby Chandler, the History Center is able to host paid summer interns each year to assist in research and organization of archive material.

Prior to 2005, two high school interns were hosted at the History Center each summer. Interns worked for six weeks, generally spending two weeks in each of the major departments of collections, education and development.

Paid internships are uncommon in this field and the ability to offer a stipend allows the History Center to attract very talented candidates. Each Bobby Chandler intern is required to complete 150 hours with the History Center and is paid a stipend upon completion. Students can choose the department in which they would like to work and intern schedules are flexible. The application process is highly competitive and interns are selected by the Funded Internship Committee, comprised of select History Center staff.

Due to the high quality of the Kephart Foundation's Bobby Chandler Summer Intern funding, the History Center staff members are able to accomplish much needed projects. Interns develop interactive history lectures for senior groups, inventory parts of the collection that have yet to be catalogued, assist with preparations for large events like HISTORY MAKERS and help complete research for upcoming exhibits. Their contributions are an integral part of the History Center's operations and allow the museum to do more with limited resources.

At the start of this program, most interns were from the Boys and Girls Club of Richmond. However, beginning in 2006, the Kephart Foundation widened the criteria for applicants to include other venues.

This change in intern guidelines has allowed participation by additional institutions, thus increasing the number of awardees in recent years as follows:

Past Recipients

 
Summer 2018 Bobby Chandler Interns:

Click name for each 2018 recipient to read Intern Spotlight articles

• Leah Epting, University of North Carolina - Archives
• Kara Garvey, College of William and Mary, General Collections
• Dominique Gay, Virginia Commonwealth University, Costumes and Textiles
• Sabrina Connor, Virginia Union University, Public Relations and Marketing
• Maria “Ali” Hatcher-Mendoza, Virginia Commonwealth University, HR/Finance

 
Summer 2017 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Julia DuBeau, Virginia Commonwealth University, Costumes and Textiles
• Elizabeth Ezzelle, Richmond University in London, General Collections
• Camden Taylor, Clemson University, Public Relations/Development
• Megan Brown, J Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Archives
• Grayson Wheeler, Virginia Commonwealth University, HR/Finance
• Mariah Macon, College of William and Mary, Public Programs

 
Summer 2016 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Taylor Evelyn, Randolph Macon College, Visitor Services
• Robert Baxter, Randolph Macon College, HR/Finance
• Sara Umland, SUNY Oneta, General Collections
• Anne Elizabeth Banton, James Madison University, Archives
• Jessica Lynn Evans, Virginia Commonwealth University, Costumes and Textiles
• Marina Hays, Fashion Institute of Technology, Costumes and Textiles

 
Summer 2015 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Dylan McCartney, University of Mississippi, Archives
• Jamie Kim, Rutgers University, Public Relations/Development
• Carley Winiesdorffer, Virginia Commonwealth University, Costumes and Textiles
• Ashley Phung, Virginia Commonwealth University, HR/Finance
• Fazila Kabahita, Loyala University Chicago, Public Programs

 
Summer 2014 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Angela Parker
• Amanda Ortman
• Kaitlin Jennings
• Caitlin Foltz
• Kelsey Cunningham

 
Summer 2013 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Lindsey Hale
• Amy Griffin
• Jody Green
• Charlie Umhau
• Emily Bowden

Summer 2012 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Rachel Wilkerson
• Caroline Moyer
• Benjamin Plache
• Rakim Reid
• William “Brian” Piper

 
Summer 2011 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Alexandra Wiles
• Danielle Ashe
• Glenna Barlow
• Elizabeth Fuqua
• William “Brian” Piper

 
Summer 2010 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Corine McVeigh
• Leigh Donahue
• Brenna McHenry
• Cecily Rainey

 
Summer 2009 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Alison Ross
• Lauren McDonald
• James Gross

 
Summer 2008 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Jessica Sleevi
• Diane Anderson
• Katie Harding
• Lynda Cooper

 
Summer 2007 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• Dan Castele
• Carter McIntyre
• Meredith Moore
• Jeannine Beckman

 
Summer 2006 Bobby Chandler Interns:

• John Cockrell
• Stephanie Johnson
• Erin Kuykendall