Out West student blog

The Art of Conservation

Victoria Hill, engaging in research outdoors. Image credit: Victoria Hill

Victoria Hill '22
Hometown: Portsmouth, VA
Major: Art History
Museum Intern, Yellowstone National Park Heritage and Research Center

Why did you want to do this internship?

I was excited by the opportunity to work with a diverse collection of objects and learn more about the role of museums in relation to environmental conservation and American history. While I have had experience creating virtual exhibitions and working in museum collections management, my work has been limited to the visual arts. I was also interested in gaining a better understanding of how different museums are organized in terms of management.

How does your role sgupport the host organization’s mission?

Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service are concerned with the preservation of nature and culture while providing recreation and education to visitors. My role as Museum Intern allows me to manage and engage with the museum's holdings in a way that honors and reinforces the park's values.

Describe one project you will be working on this summer.

The main project I am working on this summer is planning a virtual exhibition in celebration of Yellowstone National Park's 150th anniversary. I am still in the early planning stages, which has mainly consisted of brainstorming different themes to organize the exhibition. So far, my supervisors and I have agreed on several areas of focus, for which I have the responsibility of researching and exploring the archives for relevant photographs and artwork. I have also had the opportunity to write an exhibition label for one of the objects in the collection.

How does this project relate to your studies and/or career goals?

I hope to pursue a career in museum collections management or art conservation. Planning the park's anniversary exhibition has allowed me to utilize my passion for the arts and studies of material culture while also exposing me to the history of environmental conservation and the National Park Service, both of which I was previously unfamiliar with. Excitingly, I have also been able to put art history studies, which have included writing object labels and creating exhibition proposals, into practice.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I recently started getting into jewelry-making. I have always loved painting and drawing; however, I enjoy the lack of pressure to create something finished and not having to keep my academic training in mind when making a piece of jewelry. It has given me the space to step away from the computer and do something with my hands.

Read more at the Out West Student Blog »

Recent Center News

As part of our online magazine's "Up Close" series, Felicity Barringer looks at the federal push to return American Bison herds to tribal control. The effort raises hopes that the once-abundant species can regenerate landscapes and restore native traditions.
A lawsuit blames farmers’ stream diversions for the desiccation of the Great Salt Lake; nearly all of Canada’s winter roads could be unusable by 2080; bills to ban lab-grown meat; another annual heat-associated death record in Arizona; and more environmental news from around the West.
Winter 2024 was a full quarter at the Bill Lane Center with ongoing preparations for our annual Rural West Conference and interviews for internship and research positions.