Reflections from Summer Intern 2025

Sam Thibeault reflects on his June internship with the Preservation Alliance before he begins his five weeks with our summer internship partner Preservation Timber Framing (PTF). We’re sorry to see Sam move on but know he is excited to couple the program, policy and advocacy experience gained at the Alliance with valuable trades experience working on 18th and 19th century timber frame structures with PTF.

What did an average day for you look like at the N.H. Preservation Alliance?

Sam (second from right), with N.H. Preservation Alliance staffers (L to R): Maggie Stier, Martha Cummings, and Jennifer Goodman.

The majority of my time was spent at the Preservation Alliance’s office in Concord, with exceptions for events, annual easement monitoring visits, and other historic property site visits. In the office, I researched different topics and wrote blog posts, reading a variety of material from building assessments to easement reports, to histories of New England architecture. I interviewed community leaders for write-ups on preservation projects, too. There were, necessarily, other tasks like cataloging website data and organizing files that were less interesting but still vital to the flow of work and it felt meaningful to help my coworkers with those projects. On our most exciting days, I had the opportunity to travel to historic properties whether it was for the Preservation Awards, interviews, easement monitoring, or intern networking.

What were some of the highlights from your month working for the N.H. Preservation Alliance?

My first week at the Preservation Alliance was the busiest as we prepared for the 2025 Preservation Awards and 40th Anniversary celebration of the Alliance; it was fantastic to be a part of. I was honored to speak at the podium of the Fred A. Smart Chapel at Tilton School, but now as a special guest instead of a student, followed by great networking with a wide range of preservation professionals at the Charles E. Tilton Mansion reception. I enjoyed the numerous opportunities offered by the Preservation Alliance to meet and connect with specialists in the trades, preservation advocates and consultants, and others.

What are your biggest takeaways from this experience?

There is always more behind the words summarized at a podium, the “preservation in progress” sign beside the road, and work associated with a project than meets the eye. Most people will notice the bridge closed for repairs but not realize how many hours of work have already gone into preparing it for that moment, and how many more hours will go into its preservation. I’ve learned so much more about what goes into historic property restoration projects by listening to leaders of this work.

What advice would you give someone who is considering volunteering on a preservation project or working in the field?

Like the interns before me, I reiterate their suggestions to explore preservation careers--learning by doing and trying it out thanks to internships like this were valuable learning opportunities for me.

Sometimes that seems daunting, and so my advice is to just talk to people. Off-handedly mention your interests and you might end up meeting someone who can connect you to a cool opportunity you may not have found elsewhere. The more people you meet, the more you grow your network of potential mentors. Historic fields often are word-of-mouth and so if you ask to volunteer on a project, there is most likely a place for you.

Sam (third from right) at an intern gathering at the Grafton Meeting House