Meet Our 2025 Summer Graduate Intern
The L’Enfant Trust routinely offers internships to undergraduate and graduate students, or community members, passionate about Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Architecture, or related fields.
Meet our 2025 summer intern, Anastasia Hearn!
Tell us about yourself and your academic background.
I grew up in Columbia, Maryland, and I have 3 younger siblings. I got my Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Maryland in 2024. I also got minors in Art History and Archaeology. Right now, I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Notre Dame, and plan to graduate in Spring 2026. I participated in a couple of archaeological digs on an ancient Etruscan and Roman site in 2022 and 2023 near Orvieto, Italy. I enjoyed the experience a lot and would like to participate in an archaeological dig again sometime in the near future if I have the opportunity. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, writing, and drawing. I particularly enjoy sci-fi and fantasy genres. I also crochet fairly often, and this spring and summer, I’ve started working quite regularly with my father to learn more about woodworking.
What excites you about interning with The L’Enfant Trust this summer? What are
you hoping to learn?
I’ve been following The L’Enfant Trust for a few years now, and one thing I’ve always admired is the mission of this organization. Washington, D.C. is a beautiful city, and I am of the firm opinion that it is because of the preservation of historic properties that allows it to maintain that beauty and character. I also appreciate the Trust’s Historic Properties Redevelopment Program, which is what drew me to the organization in the first place. I am hoping to learn more about the process of protecting these historic structures in the real world. I’ve learned about how buildings are protected in theory, but I do not have much experience in practice. I am just happy to be able to assist where I can.
What is your favorite historic building and/or place, and why?
I love the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Wieliczka, Poland. I am a Polish-American citizen, and I enjoy going to Poland when I can to visit family. Visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of my favorite things I’ve done. There are beautiful sculptures carved out of the rock salt underground, and the pictures do not do it justice. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. I highly recommend visiting and going on a tour if you can, unless you have claustrophobia. It is an underground mine after all. It’s gorgeous, however, and I hope to be able to visit again sometime.