I started a phenomenal new project this week - one that is teaching me about history as I research it further. I started work on a timeline about America's trade relationship with China, starting in the late 1700s and continuing up until the 20th century (see the completed timeline below). The timeline primarily focuses on maritime history for a summer program that the MHS will be putting on about early East Coast maritime events and information. I used the book When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail as my primary resource. Essentially, I skimmed the book for important dates and occurrences, and compiled a timeline based on the book. As a result, I learned a lot about this specific subject while contributing to a project. It's possible that my timeline will be turned into part of an exhibit in the maritime history project.
This week, I felt that my work, specifically on the timeline, was more concentrated and therefore better. Focusing on a specific project that related directly to history was enjoyable, a learning experience, and I felt that I was actually contributing, which was a great feeling. I'm hoping for more work like this, and in an effort to be a proactive member of the MHS staff, I asked my supervisor for more projects like this one (after having finished the transcriptions and other more tedious projects). I hope that this request will yield results and I will be trusted with more interesting and challenging projects in the final weeks of my internship.
This week, I felt that my work, specifically on the timeline, was more concentrated and therefore better. Focusing on a specific project that related directly to history was enjoyable, a learning experience, and I felt that I was actually contributing, which was a great feeling. I'm hoping for more work like this, and in an effort to be a proactive member of the MHS staff, I asked my supervisor for more projects like this one (after having finished the transcriptions and other more tedious projects). I hope that this request will yield results and I will be trusted with more interesting and challenging projects in the final weeks of my internship.