Frederick S. Upton Fellowship in Public History

Madmen fundraising event

The Frederick S. Upton Fellowship in Public History enables a graduate student in public history to work with the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. 

The Heritage Museum promotes historical preservation, education and research that relates to Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and the surrounding region.  During their time at the Heritage Museum, the Frederick S. Upton Fellow works alongside museum staff as an active participant and contributor to the projects of the museum. 

The duties of the fellowship are adaptable to fit each candidate’s needs, skills, and interests.  For example, 2015-2017 Upton Fellow Claire Herhold came to the Heritage Museum with experience and interest in museum education, interpretation, and community outreach.  In her time at the museum, she developed and implemented out new school and public programming; expanded the museum’s social media presence; welcomed a Smithsonian Museums on Main Street traveling exhibit; led an oral history summer youth camp funded by a Smithsonian Youth Access Grant; wrote multiple grant applications to support new exhibit development; and led the inaugural tours of the St. Joseph North Pier lighthouses.

  lighthouse tours1   lighthouse tours2   Night at the Museum event   Smithsonian Docent Training