2025 HBCUI Intern.
BIOGRAPHY
James D. Height Jr., a graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a minor in Philosophy, served as a Digital Experience Intern at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park through the HBCUI Internship Program.
A researcher, cultural preservationist, and public storyteller, James dedicated much of his undergraduate career to documenting and preserving Gullah Geechee history and culture throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry. Between 2023 and 2025, he conducted more than 900 hours of field research across culturally significant communities including Johns Island, St. Helena Island, and Port Royal, becoming the student with the most documented field research hours in Morehouse College history.
James’s academic work focused on cultural identity, education, faith, resistance, and the preservation of African Diaspora heritage. His research explored topics including the Penn Center, Septima Clark’s educational legacy, Gullah Geechee cultural preservation, and the role of community institutions in sustaining cultural identity across generations.
During his internship, James worked with the Interpretation and Visual Information teams at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park to develop digital content, support visitor engagement initiatives, and assist with projects related to the Combahee River Raid and other significant Reconstruction-era stories. Through his work, he helped strengthen public access to historical narratives while exploring innovative ways to connect visitors with the people and events that shaped the Reconstruction era.
The experience strengthened his skills in research, digital storytelling, script development, multimedia production, and historical interpretation while reinforcing his commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of historically significant communities.
Education & Experience
Education
Morehouse College
NPS SITE
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
POSITION
Digital Experience Intern
Internship Project
During his internship, James supported digital interpretation initiatives designed to make Reconstruction-era history more accessible to visitors. Working alongside park staff, he assisted with the development of educational content, prepared script materials, contributed to multimedia projects, and supported interpretation efforts related to the Combahee River Raid and associated historical events.
One of his primary contributions included preparing content for a driving-tour audio experience that helped visitors engage with important locations and stories connected to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. His work combined historical research, narrative development, and digital communication techniques to enhance visitor understanding of this important period in American history.
Skills Developed & Accomplishments
Skills Developed
- Historical Research
- Digital Storytelling
- Script Writing
- Multimedia Editing
- Audio Production
- Visitor Engagement
- Historical Interpretation
- Public Communication
Accomplishments
- Prepared script materials for an audio tour used along the park’s driving route.
- Edited recorded narration for digital learning resources reviewed by park staff.
- Assisted Interpretation and Visual Information teams with digital content projects.
- Supported visitor engagement during multiple guided presentations.
- Contributed to interpretation projects focused on the Combahee River Raid and Reconstruction-era history.
- Expanded research and storytelling skills through hands-on National Park Service experience.
Testimonial
“I believe this internship has caused me to become a much more methodical researcher. As opposed to simply reading a lot of information to deduce what is needed, I have been taught to look in certain spaces that most may not.” — James D. Height Jr.
Internship In Action
The images above highlight James’s work supporting interpretation and digital engagement projects at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. Through research, visitor engagement, and content development, he helped connect audiences with stories of resilience, citizenship, freedom, and community-building during the Reconstruction era.
Prior Research and Publications:
