By Kristina Negas News-Post Staff
Seven of the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum interns met Thursday afternoon to plan a yard sale at Schifferstadt this weekend. From left are Gareth Glewwe, Cole Layden, Jessi Yu, Adria Murphy, Ceire Kenny, Sheridan Mangold and Jose Sandino.
Spending hot summer days in a 250-year-old house might be the last thing on the minds of many teens -- but not the interns at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum.
"It's a fun opportunity to get out and experience history and share my love of history with other people," said intern Garreth Glewwe, 14.
Last summer Schifferstadt had two interns in its fledgling program.
This year's number increased to 12 interns, from middle school to college-aged, said Christina Murphy, Schifferstadt's head gardener, who helps run the internship program.
"I'm astounded," she said of the program's growth.
Working about four hours a week, Garreth and his fellow interns are learning about museum management, public relations, event planning, photography, graphic arts and historical research.
"We train them in everything but we try to focus them in one area," Murphy said.
For example, all interns learn how to give tours, but if one particularly enjoys photography, he or she might spend the day taking pictures, Murphy explained.
Garreth said giving tours is his favorite part of the internship.
Intern Jose Sandino agrees.
Sandino, 16, learned about the program when he went on a Spirit Tour of the museum.
"I fell in love with the place," he said. "The house is amazing."
Murphy believes the program took off this year because it was advertised by Volunteer Frederick, an organization that promotes community service in the county.
"Ever since then, we've been getting calls like crazy," she said.
Schifferstadt's staff is delighted to have interns, but is working to perfect the program -- especially arranging schedules and responsibilities.
"Because it's grown so fast we are still in the process of organizing it," said Diane Glewwe, intern coordinator.
The Schifferstadt interns will host their first fundraiser, a yard sale, Saturday -- an idea they came up with themselves, Murphy said.
Members of the community can rent table or blanket space for $10.
The interns also will have a table, where they will sell donated items.
