UM-Flint history alum Purkis found a second act in historic preservation

Melanie Purkis knew she wanted to study history when she was 15 years old — specifically, she wanted to get a Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan. However, after taking a few classes at a community college immediately after high school, her life veered in a different direction.

"I started working in the tech industry, and my career took off, so I did that for the next 30 years," Purkis said. "I retired in 2023 and decided it was time to achieve my goal of getting a degree in history. I saw that UM-Flint had classes in historic preservation, and that intrigued me, so I chose that program."

During her time at UM-Flint, Purkis interned with Thomas Henthorn, professor of history, who engages in community-based work focused on the restoration and preservation of local cemeteries. 

"Interning with Dr. Henthorn was instrumental because it gave me the chance to explore and learn things that have since formed the foundation of my second career," said Purkis. "A subject like history is so broad, and internships are a great way to begin to narrow down the field — I was lucky that UM-Flint had the historic preservation minor, because it wasn't even a field that I knew existed, and it has inspired a whole new career for me."

"Melanie manages that rare combination of being one-of-a-kind while also embodying the best of our students' collective spirit," Henthorn said. "In her work with Michigan Humanities and the cemetery preservation internship at Glenwood Historic Cemetery, she showed the curiosity of a researcher, the determination of a preservationist, and the collaborative energy that defines our program."

After graduating from UM-Flint in 2024, Purkis enrolled at Eastern Michigan University, one of the only institutions offering graduate degrees in historic preservation.

"Grad school has also really helped me hone my vision," explained Purkis. "One of the things that I loved during my time at UM-Flint and working with Dr. Henthorn was research, so I initially thought that I wanted to pursue a career in historic building restoration, specifically, the regulatory and advising side of it. Now that I've done more of that work in grad school, I found that wasn't what excited me, and that I kept coming back to cemetery restoration work. It combines research, community engagement, technical knowledge, and hands-on work in a way that really speaks to me."

Purkis began working for Carter's Cemetery Preservation, where she continued her fieldwork and expanded her skills. "David Carter is a master in repair work, so I have learned a ton from him. I have also since started my own business — Purkis Cemetery Preservation — and he and I are joining forces, collaborating with each other's teams to meet the needs of local communities."

Michigan's penchant for inclement weather means that cemetery restoration work can only be performed from May through October, with the peak season often filled with dozens of jobs at once. "There aren't many people specializing in this kind of work, but there is a real need for it to be done," Purkis said. "It's exciting that I have built a business that, so far, supports me throughout the year, even though I can only work for five months during the year. After grad school, I plan to consult more, as well as take jobs in other parts of the world during the winter months, because there is a high demand."

Once Purkis graduates with her Master of Science in Historic Preservation, she will be considered an architectural historian, which will open up more paths and opportunities. "My goal is to continue merging my love for research and the technical or artisanal aspect of grave stone restoration while also expanding my skills in areas such as using tech to do gravemapping, and helping communities rediscover their ancestral graveyards."

As for future education goals, Purkis isn't sure if she still wants to pursue a Ph.D., but it's not off the table. "I don't know if I want to dive right into that, or if I want to build up my business more, learn more in the field," she said. "A few of my employees are students, and I love offering internships that give others the chance to learn about this fascinating field like I did. So, I may stick with my business for a while and then consider pursuing a doctorate later.

"I really only went back to school because it was unfinished, and I wanted to complete it as a personal goal, so it is astonishing what has unfolded since. It has been a wild three years. I have a 16-year-old daughter and have told her, 'Start exploring, trying new things, tick off different boxes, choose classes you may not have considered — these are ways you'll find your passion.' Because it's about more than just getting a piece of paper, it's about finding your purpose."