Luis Melendez; Lettie G Howard, South Street Seaport Museum

Pookie has an ideal internship in and around the Lettie G Howard. His mentor is none other than the illustrious Captain Jonathan Kabak. As an NYHS student, Pookie has already had a great deal of experience sailing aboard the Lettie, mostly during our summer programs. For those who are unfamiliar, the Lettie is a tall masted schooner that was originally constructed in Massachusetts in 1893. She is currently owned and operated as an educational sailing vessel by the South Street Seaport Museum.


Pookie's internship has thus far been a purely maritime experience. Most days he works aboard the ship learning basic maintenance and engineering tasks from the crew and captain. Over the last two weeks, the main responsibility for all crew members including Pookie has been downrigging and winter storage preparations. In addition to regular maintenance duties, Pookie has also been of help within the ship's educational programs. Unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, Pookie was not able to sail with the 9th grade Harbor class but he was there every Tuesday and Thursday to meet the class at the 79th st. Boat Basin. In the coming months, Pookie will be working directly with Kabak and Education Director Kristin Washer to help out with programming and gain insight into the educational aspect of the sailing ship.


After meeting with Kabak and Pookie, I stopped in unscheduled to the museum's education department to say hello to Juan Concepcion and his mentor Maggie. Maggie was off to a meeting and Juan was busy with his current project. They both seemed very happy with the internship experience and Juan was thoroughly engaged. I am scheduled to return for my official visit on January 18th.

Both Pookie and Juan are well supported in their research and interview process. Working at the museum, they have enormous access to primary source historical materials and tools for research. The museum staff, both administrators and educators, can provide a wealth of information for the interns if they're able to take initiative, introduce themselves, and pursue interview opportunities. It all depends on the individual's drive to seek out and investigate personally relevant information -- the process should be fun and highly motivating. It should be difficult but not boring!!