An Internship at Goodwood: Nat Coombes Prepares Italian Paintings for Exhibition

Update 1/4/17:  Nat will present  “Goodwood and the Grand Tour,” a talk on his research on the painting collection at Goodwood on Friday, January 6 from 12 to 1 pm:  Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Rd.

Museum & Cultural Heritage Studies alumnus Natale “Nat” Coombes (MA 2016) spent much of the 2015–16 academic year researching a set of Italian paintings in the collection of Goodwood Museum & Gardens, a restored plantation home in the center of Tallahassee. Previously, little formal research was dedicated to the paintings outside of cataloging them in the museum’s database. Under the guidance of Goodwood’s co-executive directors, Nancy Morgan and Jennifer Humayun, Nat conducted in-depth research for an exhibition at Goodwood next year that will feature the paintings for the first time.  As an MCHS intern he also created a display panel explaining maker’s marks for a ceramics show this spring in Goodwood’s museum exhibition room, “From Simple to Sublime: Centuries of Settings at Goodwood.” Nat will continue to work with the Goodwood Museum in preparation for the 2017 exhibition.

I’ve learned so much from my experience at Goodwood. The chance to complete original research that is resulting in the formation of an exhibition is a phenomenal opportunity. Goodwood is also just a fun and relaxing place to be, with a beautiful property and collection. The ability to work and talk with docents, board members, and other volunteers gave me the chance to witness how important historic homes and community centers like Goodwood are to Tallahassee.

Goodwood Museum & Gardens is one among the many opportunities in Tallahassee for Florida State University students to complete internships. Located just a few miles from FSU’s main campus, on Miccosukee Road, Goodwood offer the chance for students interested in history, art history, museum studies, and other specialties to conduct research into local culture and historical artifacts and get essential hands-on museum experience.

If you are interesting in completing an internship with Goodwood Museum & Gardens, contact the coexecutive directors Nancy Morgan and Jennifer Humayun.