Interns Mason Lacey and Jessica Fine Make Significant Impact at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center

During a busy period of transition and reopening, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center interns Mason Lacey and Jessica Fine have been crucial members of the museum team. As summer winds down, KTM&HC is pausing to express appreciation for their important contributions!

Lacey, who worked at KTM&HC throughout the spring and early summer as part of Ridgefield High School’s senior internship program, was instrumental in supporting various projects focused on reopening the museum to the public after months of closure due to the pandemic. Their interests in history, graphic design, art, and storytelling allowed Lacey to bring a valuable interdisciplinary perspective to KTM&HC. Their creative and thoughtful contributions helped staff develop policies; design flyers, brochures, and other communications; organize collections; and build a new visitor experience. At our Grand Reopening, Lacey welcomed visitors to the Carriage Barn and provided important context for KTM&HC’s newest exhibit (in place until September 18!), “A Land of Opportunity? Community Building in 19^th Century Ridgefield.”

Fine, who began interning at KTM&HC three years ago as a senior at Ridgefield High School, leads KTM&HC summer youth programming as the museum’s Camp Director. She also contributes to school programming initiatives and special events in collaboration with local businesses and cultural organizations. Currently, a history major in the University of Vermont’s Honors College, Fine’s passion for engaging others of all ages in learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting is evident in her ability to develop and implement camp programming focused on local and site history. Fine shared, “My favorite part of working at Keeler has been getting to work with an institution that fully engages with the community through outreach and fun events, allowing for a better connection with both Ridgefield of the past and Ridgefield of the present.” Summer Enrichment @ Keeler sessions, developed and led by Fine, finished up last week to great success.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to work with such talented interns,” said Executive Director Hildegard Grob. “Mason and Jessica have been essential contributors to our museum, and especially to our efforts to reopen to in-person tours and programming. As we continue our efforts to grow as an inclusive, accessible, and relevant history organization, our interns’ community connections and insights into audience interests inform our programming and perspective.”

Interested in becoming an intern at KTM&HC? Learn more on our website at www.keelertavernmuseum.org/support-volunteer.