The Conservancy is pleased to introduce our newest team member, Alaina Noland, to our global community.
Alaina has joined the Conservancy as our Preservation and Outreach Intern. Alaina came to museum work as a second career after working professionally in the equine industry for over a decade. She has fallen in love with museum ships because she believes “they are excellent platforms from which history, engineering, and art can be discussed with the public.” After four years at various historic ships and maritime museums, the SS United States is the eighth museum ship she has been involved with, and the first civilian craft. She also currently serves as the Assistant Curator at the battleship New Jersey. Alaina holds an undergraduate degree in European History from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and, when she decided to change careers, she completed her Master’s degree in Public History at Rutgers University Camden.
We are so excited to have Alaina be a part of our team!
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?
I am always looking for ways to expand and cement my museum training and skills and when I came across the posting for the Conservancy’s Preservation and Outreach Internship, it sounded right up my alley. I was on the hunt for a position that would allow me to flex my cultural historian muscles a bit and that would allow me to interact more directly with the public. An added bonus is that I can continue my collections work here as well!
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS THE CONSERVANCY'S PRESERVATION AND OUTREACH INTERN?
My role as the Preservation and Outreach Intern is to advance the Conservancy’s curatorial and education programs and assist in all tasks related to the organization’s growing collections. The majority of my time is spent making the collection more accessible, but I also assist with the oral history initiative and upcoming digital exhibitions.
IN YOUR WORK WITH THE CONSERVANCY THUS FAR, WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING TO YOU?
I think the most interesting part of my work is seeing a completely different perspective on sea travel from what I am used to seeing on naval vessels. The SS United States’ service period overlaps with several of the navy ships I have worked on – the Big U passed alarmingly close to New Jersey in the English Channel in the 50s!) - and she is fundamentally a navy ship by design. However, her life was so very different! I am also learning a whole lot about mid-century modern art and design, which is well outside my wheelhouse, and is so fascinating!
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE CONSERVANCY IN THE FUTURE?
My primary goal is to get the historical collection completely cataloged and accessible to as many people as possible. Collections management is often an overlooked job in museums, but it is the backbone of any institution. You cannot have exhibits or education programs until you fully comprehend the extent and reach of your holdings, and these inform what stories you can tell. While this is an unending task (there is always more research to be done!) I also hope to contribute to more public exhibitions, both online and in person.