Bucks Historians Announce New History Day Internship Opportunity

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) has announced an educational internship grant awarded by the Berger Family Foundation to support the coordination of the annual National History Day (NHD) regional competition for Bucks and Montgomery counties.

The announcement coincided with the opening of student registration for the 2023 Bucks Mont Regional National History Day Competition.

The new Ruth Maxson National History Day Internship, named in honor of a beloved Bucks County Historical Society volunteer of nearly 50 years, supports the work of a promising university student who will join the BCH Steam to expand their working knowledge of the education field, and assist with National History Day.

Designed as an exciting opportunity for students considering a career in teaching and/or museum education,the Ruth Maxson National History Day Internships upports the museum’s education department in the planning of the Bucks Mont NHD Regional Competition.

The National History Day Regional Competition enables Bucks and Montgomery County high school and middle school students to take history beyond the classroom.Hundreds of students from Bucks and Montgomery County schools participate in this regional event, and winners will move onto the state level competition.This regional contest is facilitated by staff and volunteers of the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society.

The inaugural Ruth Maxson National History Day Intern, Anna Durning, hails from Hatfield and is currently a junior at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts in Philadelphia. Durning is a history major with a minor in English and works at Temple University’s Charles Library. Outside of her undergraduate coursework, she takes part in Temple University’s Community Orchestra and Irish Dance Team.

The internship experience provides Durning with the opportunity to interact with teachers, students, judges, and museum staff and help produce a regional educational event, as part of a national program.Throughout the internship, Durning will work closely with the BCHS Director of Education &Community Services, and assist with the program’s database, provide support to the judges, teachers, students, and parents, assist in conducting training sessions, among other duties. The role also supports outreach and promotion efforts and the recruitment of volunteer judges.

National History Day is an annual, nationwide academic enrichment program for students in grades 6-12 that encourages thoughtful historical research, project-based learning and a doseof friendly competition, as individuals or as a group, in one of five distinct categories: exhibits, papers, websites, documentary films and performances.

The 2023 National History Day regional competition award ceremony for Bucks and Montgomery counties will be held on Saturday, March 18 at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown. For more information about the Bucks Mont Regional NHD Competition, visit mercermuseum.org/NHD.