2026 HBCUI Intern
BIOGRAPHY
Miles Kenyan Stewart, a graduate of Howard University’s Master of Architecture program, serves as a Museum Collections Assistant at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River through the HBCUI Internship Program. A designer and researcher working at the intersection of architecture, cultural heritage, and institutional operations, Miles brings a multidisciplinary background in research, conservation, design, archival work, and the stewardship of historical and cultural resources.
Prior to his internship, Miles gained professional experience at the National Gallery of Art, where he conducted archival research for the Index of American Design and supported public exhibitions and programming within the Conservation Division. His architectural experience also includes work with R. McGhee & Associates, where he contributed to documentation, code compliance, and project coordination for public library projects in Washington, D.C. His graduate research at Howard University examined how architecture and planning decisions shape communities along national borders, further strengthening his interest in the relationship between the built environment, history, and community.
During his internship at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Miles works alongside National Park Service staff to support the care, preservation, documentation, and relocation of the park’s museum collections. His work includes assisting with the inventory, rehousing, packing, labeling, and safe handling of historical objects, artifacts, furniture, and archival materials as the park prepares collections for relocation to an upgraded museum storage facility. Through this work, he is gaining hands-on experience in museum collections management, preventive conservation, cultural resource stewardship, and professional preservation practices.
Miles is also developing a site-specific outdoor textile installation inspired by the historic eel weirs of the Upper Delaware River, bringing together his interests in architecture, design, cultural heritage, and place-based storytelling. Through his HBCUI experience, he is exploring how design and stewardship can work together to preserve cultural heritage, interpret historical landscapes, and shape the spaces communities inhabit. His interdisciplinary background allows him to approach preservation not only as the care of individual objects and collections, but as part of a larger relationship between history, place, design, and the public.
Education & Experience
Education
Howard University
POSITION
Museum Collections Assistant
Internship Overview
As a Museum Collections Assistant, Miles supports the preservation, care, documentation, and relocation of museum collections at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, helping ensure that historical objects, artifacts, furniture, and archival materials are protected for future generations. His work includes inventorying collections, safely handling and packing museum objects, rehousing and labeling materials, documenting collection information, and preparing items for relocation to an upgraded museum storage facility that supports their long-term preservation.
Working alongside National Park Service staff and the park’s museum curator, Miles is gaining hands-on experience in museum collections management, preventive conservation, cultural resource stewardship, historical documentation, and professional preservation practices. Through his work, he is applying his background in architecture, archival research, conservation, and design to real-world cultural resource management while developing a deeper understanding of how museums and public institutions preserve historical materials and connect people with the stories, places, and cultural heritage represented within their collections.
Skills Developed & Accomplishments
Skills Developed
- Museum Collections Management
- Preventive Conservation
- Artifact Handling &
- Rehousing Historical Documentation
- Collections Inventory
- Cultural Resource Stewardship
- Preservation Practices
- Interdisciplinary Research & Design
Accomplishments
- Supported the preservation, documentation, and relocation of museum collections at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, helping protect historical objects and archival materials for future generations.
- Assisted with the inventory, safe handling, rehousing, packing, and labeling of museum objects, furniture, artifacts, and collection materials according to professional preservation practices.
- Helped prepare museum collections for relocation to an upgraded storage facility designed to support their long-term preservation and stewardship.
- Applied his background in architecture, archival research, conservation, and design to real-world museum collections management and cultural resource preservation.
- Developed a site-specific outdoor textile installation inspired by the historic eel weirs of the Upper Delaware River, connecting design, cultural heritage, historical landscapes, and place-based storytelling.
Testimonial
Coming soon.
