Learning About Museum Operations at the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse and Museum

     Hi everyone! This week, I finally got to begin my internship with the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. I arrived to my first day at 9:00am and was greeted by the museum's curator, Felipe de Paula, and fellow intern Holly. Once on site, Felipe introduced us to other staff members and gave us a brief tour of the museum's offices, archives, and the lighthouse property itself before taking us across the street to the newly opened Constance D. Hunter Historic Pacetti Hotel Museum which is operated by the lighthouse staff. Here, Felipe explained that although the museum was recently opened, its exhibits were not fully completed and that he imagined that is where most of our time would be spent during the interning process. After getting the grand tour, Felipe took us back to the office to let us get acquainted with PastPerfect, one of many museum inventory management systems available. Here, Felipe explained the process of accessioning or acquiring items for the museum

     Hello everyone! My name is Michael Cole, and I am a senior with the University of Central Florida working to earn my bachelor's degree in History. Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved learning about history, whether it was United States history, world history, or even familial history. However, this love for learning was always brought out the most during visits to museums. I loved to look at every artifact on display and to read the plaques to learn about what these items were and how historical people used them. As I got older, this interest only grew as I learned more about how history influences the present day and as I watched peers' interest in history wane.       So, when it became time for me to determine my future career path, a role in public history seemed to be the perfect fit. Not only would be able to work with a wide range of historical materials, but I would be able to educate the people in my community on why history matters to all of us and why it