Mary Bishop Carter Preservation Internships

Fund supports historic preservation internships

Thanks to a generous donation from Henley Carter,  Historic Staunton Foundation (HSF) has a new Internship Program that will seek to engage one student per semester in a structured Mary Bishop Carter Internship.

In late 2020, Henley Carter told HSF leaders of his desire to make a gift and honor his late wife, Mary Bishop Carter. Mary “Sister” Carter passed away in May 2020. She was a bright light during her tenure on the HSF Board of Directors, who felt passionately about preserving the built-environment and history of Staunton. Mr. Carter’s vision includes supporting an ongoing program to further preserve and extend his wife’s community aspirations.

The Mary Bishop Carter Internship Fund continues the Carters’ longtime support of preservation efforts. During the rehabilitation of the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art, they secured funding for rehabilitation of the historic writing room. This same space is now HSF’s Preservation Workroom, which houses reference materials, digital equipment, and provides internet access. The Workroom is an excellent facility for interns to accomplish projects.

HSF developed the paid internship program while working with the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge during their 2020 grant cycle.  An initial grant from the Community Foundation allowed HSF to initiate its paid internship program in February 2021.

“We are excited to employ students with academic specialties in history and architectural preservation; their Internship efforts will amplify the output of our small but ambitious organization. The initial grant from the Community Foundation sparked a good program. The Mary Bishop Carter Intern Fund allows HSF to continue and possibly expand the program. Undergraduate interns enrolled at a college or university, take on a defined project giving them field experience while being compensated for their work.  HSF has a two person staff; each Intern provides added personnel toward a special mission-focused preservation project.  Projects are also chosen to further the student’s education.” — HSF Executive Director, Frank Strassler