Randolph-Macon College students know that one of the best ways to grow, discover and make connections beyond the classroom is to embark on new adventures. During January Term (J-term) 2020, Isabella Meier ’20 did just that during an internship at Lee-Fendall House Museum in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Constructed in 1785, the property is owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation, whose mission is to preserve its historic resources to promote community engagement about the relevance of the past to our present.  

From Volunteer to Intern
An archaeology major and classical studies minor, Meier volunteered last summer at the museum, and this year she wanted to take on new challenges.

“Volunteering was a way for me to try new things and give back to the community,” says Meier, who worked with RMC’s Bassett internship program and EDGE Career Center to arrange the internship.  

In her role as a collections intern, Meier archived historical documents that Lee-Fendall House has acquired over the years. She also created master lists for archival boxes; secured loose documents into protective archival sleeves; wrote biographies of people cited in the archives; transcribed documents; and conducted research to determine the history behind the documents she reviewed.  

A Deeper Understanding
“Thanks to my internship, I had a firsthand look at the daily operations of a museum,” says Meier, a transfer student. “My experiences at Lee-Fendall helped me understand how museums work and how to care for their archives. I eventually want to work in a museum, and the research and archival skills I learned are priceless.”

Enthusiasm and Initiative
Amanda Roper, manager of Education & Public Programs at Lee-Fendall House Museum, served as Meier’s supervisor.

“Transcribing and cataloguing archival materials can be tedious work, but Isabella approached this learning experience with enthusiasm,” says Roper. “She demonstrated initiative in tracking down additional sources to help her learn about archival practices and decipher eighteenth- and nineteenth-century handwriting. Isabella’s work is very valuable to the museum, as we now have a much better idea of the materials we have in our archives. This will help us as we create new exhibits and historical tours. Her work will also ensure that these materials are accessible to outside researchers.”

Building Connections, Changing Directions
Throughout J-term, Meier and her advisor, Archaeology and Classics Professor Elizabeth Fisher, kept in touch via email.

“We discussed my progress, and it was comforting to know that I had her in my corner throughout the whole experience,” says Meier, a Dean’s Award recipient. “An internship can change the direction you think your life is taking. My experience as an intern helped me narrow down the area I want to focus on in graduate school: archival work. It also helped me build connections, both socially and academically, with others who have experience in this field.”

January Term: A Month of Discovery
Each year, Randolph-Macon College offers its popular January Term (J-term), which gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, do an internship, or conduct groundbreaking research. On campus, J-term offers for-credit courses across the curriculum, making it possible for students to fully engage for one month in a single subject.