The National Railroad Hall of Fame and Knox College have established an internship program offering interested Knox students the opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of academic disciplines. 

Calling the program a “win” for all involved, Hall of Fame Chairman Jay Matson said “The interns will help us advance some fun projects that will give the Hall of Fame more visibility locally, while allowing our two, full-time employees to remain focused on national outreach priorities.”

Two Knox students are currently researching a traveling exhibit called “Trunks Through Time.”  The effort will create four traveling trunks representing four railroad travelers from under-represented groups:  an African-American Pullman Porter, a Harvey Girl, a Chinese transcontinental railroad laborer, and a Hispanic worker during the Great Depression.  Items in the trunks will teach Kindergarten through 12th grade students about the occupations, backgrounds, life challenges, and transformative impact of the railroads on each group.  The trunks will be accompanied by grade-appropriate teaching materials and will be available for use in area schools.

Knox College Internship Coordinator Terrie Saline foresees opportunities for students in numerous academic areas, including music, literature, film, American history, education, computer science, and environmental studies, among others.