The UK History Department is committed to helping students gain paid, real-world professional experience. We have partnerships with organizations across the state and dedicated funding to support summer internships through our Daniel B. Rowland Community Internship Award and Robert M. Ireland Undergraduate Research Award. Here are a few of our recent award recipients and how they used their summer monies:

History major Ally Walton spent the summer of 2025 interning at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, where she helped preserve and organize historical materials including blueprints, maps and oral histories and assisted with exhibits like Shaker Made by Carol Peachee. Her favorite part was learning to manage artifacts using the museum database PastPerfect.

“It was my first time using a museum database. The hands-on experience helped me gain confidence in handling and organizing historical collections.” 

She encourages future interns to apply even if unsure, noting that the experience confirmed her interest in museum work.

History major Jaleah Beattie spent her summer uncovering the names of nearly 300 individuals enslaved by 19th-century Lexington enslaver John Wesley Hunt. Conducting archival research in court records, family papers, and historic archives, she contributed her findings to the America250 History Exhibit Project and helped digitize documents for public access. Handling original 19th-century records gave her insight into early Kentucky history and the human stories preserved in archives, demonstrating the impact of historical research in uncovering erased narratives and making history accessible to all.

History major Charles Logan spent the summer excavating at Stobi, a major ancient site in North Macedonia, uncovering Roman coins, pottery, mosaics and inscribed stones. Working under archaeologist Goce Pavloski, he received training in excavation, documentation, and artifact analysis, learning from specialists in Roman glass, pottery, architecture and entertainment from institutions including the University of Athens, UNC Chapel Hill and Queen’s University.

Charles’s experience shows how a degree in history leads to real-world impact from uncovering ancient civilizations to preserving cultural heritage through digital innovation. Programs like this one  empower students to apply their historical knowledge globally, develop research skills and bring the past to life for future generations.

History major Grace Davis spent her summer interning at Camp Nelson National Monument with the National Park Service, assisting with visitor services, site maintenance and research on United States Colored Troops who trained there. Her work resulted in a published biography and a digital story map tracing the soldiers’ lives after the war. Grace especially valued sharing history with the public through tours,

History major Jenna Perkovich spent her summer researching Roman-era Corinth, examining how technological and infrastructural advancements shaped Christian narratives and public opinion. Her project combined historical analysis with cultural interpretation, exploring the impact of innovation on early religious thought and daily life. 

Jenna enjoyed diving into ancient texts and archives.

“Studying history at UK was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The department is full of supportive professors and peers who help you reach your goals. Thanks to programs like historyFUTURE, I’ve been able to build amazing connections beyond Kentucky.”

Linguistics major/History minor Bellamy Martin spent the summer helping LexHistory mark Lexington's semiquincentennial.  One of her main tasks was to research and write 25 short posts for the "on this day in Lexington history" series. She also catalogued museum materials, including collections of postcards and helped contribute to the Living Streets Lexington exhibit, documenting the city's history of public transit.   

"When you really invest your time in Lexington, you feel that you are not just a visitor but live here and are a part of that history too. I feel much more at home and like I belong in Lexington ... My summer with the Museum was the first job experience I've had, and it made me feel much more prepared for my career after college."