Curating Curiosity Through Summer Museum Internships
Syracuse, New York
An art history major and docent at Hamilton’s Wellin Museum of Art, Kendall Bocklet has always been intrigued by the museum field. After learning more about the Everson in nearby Syracuse, she decided to apply. “They’ve always been a very forward-moving, forward-facing, and innovative museum. I was really interested in being a part of that,” she said.
Bocklet’s responsibilities at the Everson vary, from working in the woodshop to writing informational panels. No matter what, though, she’s in the thick of curatorial work. “Within minutes on my first day, I was handling brand new acquisitions,” she recalled. “My supervisor has given me a lot of responsibility since, which has been super-exciting in that I feel like I’m doing tangible work.”
She especially loves watching guests engage with the exhibitions. “That’s what’s most special to me about art — the connection it has with people,” Bocklet said. “That little look they have in their gaze when it all suddenly makes sense.”
Bocklet also lauds the museum’s efforts to connect with its guests and the local community – from its new café to its sponsoring of field trips for Syracuse elementary schools. Looking ahead, she is ready for a future in the museum field. “To see curatory work in practice and to realize how much I love it has been super-exciting. It’s really validating to know that I’m on the right track; like they say, ‘Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.’”
Experiencing Munson Inside and Out
Utica, New York
Will Kretz, an art history major, decided to pursue the program to gain more practical experience in the art world: “You learn a lot about art in class, but don’t always get to see how it exists outside of academia. [This experience] gave me a look at the other side, the real-life application of what we’ve been learning.”
Kretz is working with Professor of Art Robert Knight, Michael Shapiro ’71, and Munson Director Steven Harrison to prepare for a 2026 exhibition that will feature works from Munson, the Wellin, and Shapiro’s own private collection.
As a research fellow, Kretz helps the team decide how to thematically structure the exhibition. “I did research on all 62 pieces Michael has, and now I’m going through the Wellin and Munson’s catalogs to find connections between their pieces and Michael’s collection,” Kretz said. “Michael [Shapiro] has a lot of post-Impressionist works, so I’m seeing how we can thematically connect those with the Munson’s early-American works and the Wellin’s photography collection from that same era.”
Kretz’s focus in art history is on photography, so this experience has broadened his horizons: “It feels like a self-taught class. I’m learning about different movements and artists while drawing connections,” he explained. “I’m scrolling through pages and pages of artwork, and when I see something that’s great, even if it isn’t relevant to this project, I always make note of it; maybe to return to it for a later paper or research.”
On the role of curation in his own future, Kretz thinks that new doors have been opened: “It’s something I hadn’t really thought about only because I didn’t know enough about it. And now, being in the thick of it, it’s definitely something I want to look into.”
Utica, New York
While Kretz is helping Munson with its interior exhibitions, Henry Fey is exploring its exterior: an untold truth about the museum’s architectural history. Built in 1960, Munson was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson, one of the trailblazers of “International Style.” Fey explained his discovery: “The Munson was a pivotal work for Johnson, a turning point in his architectural style from International to Postmodern. The museum was just sitting on two boxes of files that relate to its design and construction — including information that’s never been seen before. They wanted to do something with it; to make those materials available to the public.”
Fey worked with Professor of History Lisa Trivedi to catalog these files, which were divided into more than 100 folders. Fey described their goal: “The hope is to efficiently sort these materials and create a finding aid so that a potential researcher can easily access them.” With limited time and so many files to go through, Fey and Trivedi only flagged and categorized the materials they found most interesting — although they hope to receive an extended grant to complete the rest with an archivist.
One such folder Fey discovered was titled “Architectural Model.” In it he discovered the primary documents behind a fascinating global history of the Munson: In 1958, the U.S. Department of State requested that the Munson’s architectural model be loaned out and exhibited at the World’s Fair in Brussels where it was extremely well-received. “It was crazy to uncover a story like that,” Fey recalled, “I felt like I was piecing together history bit by bit.”
Fey commented on the curiosity ignited by his research: “My love for architecture and drive to become an architect has only grown at Hamilton; this opportunity was perfect to deepen that passion. ... Architecture is inherently tied to history — you can pick apart when and why specific movements appear. To be able to play a small role in picking apart the history of a building as important as the Munson was amazing.”
Fey ultimately recreated a model of the museum in Sketch-up and printed it in 3D; he hopes that it can be a gift back to the museum someday.
Clinton, New York
Hamilton’s Burke Library is home to hundreds of resources, including a plethora of primary material on the College’s own history. This summer, the library’s special collections is also home to Lydia Barber. “I’ve always loved history, but most people assume that means you’ll end up being a history teacher,” she said.
Barber’s goal takes a different direction: “I want to be a museum curator, to educate the public on history in a non-traditional way — with physical objects and interaction.”
The rising sophomore hopped on the opportunity to help Burke curate its own interpretive exhibit — one literally grounded in the history of the College. Using the extensive resources in the library’s special collections, she is researching Hamilton’s Kirkland Cottage. Built in 1792, it is the oldest structure on campus. “Everybody passes by the cottage; even our matriculation takes place in it,” Barber explained. “But, not a lot of people know its historical significance.”
Barber is reading through extensive primary sources on the cottage’s history. “It’s been in four different locations, from the bottom of the hill to next to the cemetery. It’s really cool to read old newspapers and see how big of a deal the cottage was,” she said.
Barber’s research will culminate in interpretive panels she’s writing and designing for installation in the cottage. She acknowledges the learning curve this project has provided her: “There’s a lot of technical aspects to museum curation. Right now, for instance, I’m printing a 3D model of the cottage so I can physically map out where to place the displays.”
The cottage isn’t the only place on campus Barber hopes to revive through historical curation: “I really like the fact that this is going to educate a community,” Barber said, “and Burke has a lot of really interesting collections that have the potential [for other] projects. That’s something I’d really be open to.”
Cooperstown, New York
“When you live in the local area like I do, the Fenimore is something everyone knows about,” says Mia Horvath, who grew up 20 minutes away from the museum. Flash forward to this summer and she is now an exhibition research intern. Horvath explained her role: “I help curators plan and research future exhibits — so, for example, right now I’m working on the exhibition texts that will accompany next year’s exhibit on Impressionists Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot.”
Horvath’s responsibilities don’t stop there. “As an intern, you honestly get to do so much,” she said. “I’ve gotten to visit their off-site storage collections. I’ve gotten to learn the conservation science behind hanging art.”
In addition to all she has learned, Horvath said she has enjoyed the working environment. “There’s so many little things that go into the job, so learning from everyone has been super informative; things you don’t learn in the classroom. A hands-on experience is really eye-opening,” Horvath said.
The Fenimore is not Horvath’s first time working in the museum field; two years ago, she interned at the Munson and got a taste of curatorial work. “When I was at the Munson, one of my favorite tasks was sifting through their photography collection with one of the curators,” she said.
Looking ahead, Horvath is excited to have this work in her repertoire and see where it leads her: “I’m a sociology major, but this has ignited my interest in museum spaces; it’s definitely on my radar.”
Crafting a Personal Experience
Syracuse, New York
To many, the term “apothecary” sounds archaic. But as a research fellow at the MOST, Caitlin Blanksteen ’27 is helping to bring the word back to life.
“An apothecary was a far more individualized version of a pharmacy — apothecaries would make personal medicines depending on the symptoms you describe,” said Blanksteen, who is working with the museum to get the most out of its Rothschild Apothecary Shop exhibit, an authentic recreation of a 1900s-era pharmacy.
After learning of the program, Blanksteen wrote a proposal to the MOST. “It was the perfect research opportunity for me,” she explained. “I outlined what I’d contribute to the museum but also took a really personal stance.” She has a lung condition that was, in her youth, repeatedly misdiagnosed by doctors. She views the personalizing nature of apothecaries as crucial for the medical world, and, on a pre-med track to pediatrics, hopes to help implement that.
Blanksteen isn’t just tapping into her medical interests: From researching its history and cataloging the shop’s antique products, to personally curating a part of the improved exhibit, she’s developing other crucial skills. “It’s not easy,” Blanksteen admitted while explaining her cataloging responsibilities. “You have to take every possible observation and translate that into something you can search.”
But the museum staff is ever-helpful. “The professionals are all so thorough and willing to help. I’m very grateful to them.” The research is fulfilling, too. Blanksteen remembers her excitement after finding an antique cataloging document with very precise names for types of bottles: “I was so happy about my find that I posted about it on Instagram!”
Blanksteen’s other big contribution to the MOST will be her own addition to the exhibition. “I want to curate something comparing a modern pharmacy and apothecary; or maybe connect it with individualized and personally made medicine,” she added.
Explore Curatorial Studies
Hamilton Awarded NEH Grant for Curatorial Studies Collaboration
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently awarded Hamilton College a $150,000 grant for a new curricular effort that will connect students and faculty with four regional cultural institutions, as well as the College’s Wellin Museum of Art and Burke Library’s Special Collections.
Five Reasons to Pursue the Curatorial Studies Program
Hamilton highlighted its new Curatorial Studies program on Feb. 12 with an information session featuring representatives from area museums. The new initiative, funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, will give students interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences with museum curating that may lead to potential careers, summer internships, and research fellowships.
