Cameron: History Curator at The Harris Museum
In the summer of 2018, Cameron, a History and International Relations graduate, completed an internship at The Harris Museum as a History Curator. Since completing the internship Cameron has gone on to complete his MA and PhD in History..
How was your first day on the internship?
As I prepared for the journey, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, bouncing between excitement and doubt. I couldn’t help but question if I was really cut out for this role. The idea of transitioning from a student to a working adult felt almost unreal, like I was stepping into a new identity. The expectations weighed on me, but there was also a spark of anticipation. This was the start of something real, something that mattered.
When I arrived at the museum, they gave me a full tour of the office. It was a hive of activity, with curators, admin staff, and managers all deeply involved in their work. I noticed spaces used by volunteers and others set aside for specialized tasks like scanning, photographic manipulation, and accessing data files. Seeing how busy and passionate everyone was made a strong impression on me—I wanted to match that level of commitment and energy in my own work.
James, my supervisor, was incredibly understanding. He made sure the tasks he gave me were challenging but not too overwhelming. One of my first assignments was to help set up a new installation, a travelling exhibition from ‘Stories’ in Newcastle all about comic books. James and I were responsible for framing some original Minnie the Minx cartoons that were on loan to the museum.
Handling those delicate cartoons was nerve-wracking, but there was something surprisingly enjoyable about it too. The process of cutting the framing card to fit the pieces had a nostalgic, almost meditative quality to it. Even with the pressure, I found myself really enjoying the work. It felt like I was connecting with the craft and slowly building confidence in my role.
What were your responsibilities?
Much of my first week followed a similar pattern—helping to get the new exhibition ready for the public. I was involved in everything, from the manual tasks of moving seating and placing comic books on shelves, to more specialized duties like checking the light levels on each piece of art to make sure they were kept in a safe environment.
With the opening of the comic book exhibition, the Harris shifted its focus towards its reimagining, and I had the chance to attend a talk about the role of museums like the Harris in civic renewal. The talk explored how projects involving local artists, community groups, and institutions like museums can bring communities together. It was fascinating and directly tied into the museum’s renovation bids, which I was lucky enough to sit in on committee meetings for. Being part of those discussions made me feel truly valued—like I was part of the team, not just ‘an intern.’
The majority of the rest of my internship was spent in the store, cataloguing. Once I learned the correct techniques, I started to view the items I catalogued with a sense of intrigue and appreciation. It was surprisingly rewarding, especially when I found an artifact that told a real human story. It made me realize that what I was cataloguing weren’t just bibles, cards, or any number of documents and objects, but connections to the past. These items represented links for people to their own histories and the memories of those who lived long before us.
On my final day, I participated in a Viking day at Preston Flag Market, where I got to make replica coins using a reproduction die and teach children about the lives of Vikings in the Lancashire area with the visiting living history group. It was a fitting and memorable way to wrap up my time there.
What are you doing now?
I am an Associate Lecturer at Lancaster University and a Podcast Editor for the EPOCH History Magazine.
What advice would you give to prospective interns?
Keep an open mind about every opportunity that an internship may open for you. Be it a committee or an extra evening volunteering, every opportunity should be taken.