When Miles Abernethy '23, M.A. '25 helped transcribe 19th-century Civil War letters in a quiet corner of Newman Library, he did not know those hours would shape a career spent explaining history where it happened. But the skills he built in Special Collections and University Archives researching, interpreting, and connecting people to the past now guide his work with the National Park Service, where history becomes a conversation with the public.
Abernethy earned his undergraduate degrees in history and political science in 2023 and his master’s degree in history in 2025. The Virginia Center for Civil War Studies Scholarship recipient credits his time in University Libraries for giving him the professional foundation he needed to move from archival work to historical interpretation.
Work that built a career
Abernethy began his role as a Special Collections and University Archives student assistant in June 2021 and remained in the role throughout his graduate studies. He processed new collections, revised existing records, and assisted patrons and researchers at the reference desk. He also transcribed Civil War-era correspondence and helped develop exhibits and digital programs.
“I cannot emphasize enough how much the staff in Special Collections helped me grow in both skills and confidence in working in an archival space,” said Abernethy. “I gained a better sense of how to connect with the Virginia Tech community as well as the scholars who come to Virginia Tech to use the archives.”
Among his most significant projects was transcribing the James C. Biddle Family Letters and other Civil War collections. He also researched, wrote, and designed an exhibit on the public life of James I. Robertson Jr., a longtime Virginia Tech professor and nationally recognized Civil War historian. Abernethy even made connections with Robertson’s remaining family regarding possible future donations to Special Collections and University Archives.
“Even from the undergraduate level, the staff included student workers on its most important projects,” said Abernethy. “When I moved to the graduate level, I felt more confident asking to work on larger, long-term projects. Because the staff in Special Collections seeks to create a fun, interesting, and professional atmosphere, this allowed me the freedom to explore my interests within the archives and opened opportunities I will always be grateful for.”
From campus to the parks
After completing his master’s degree, Abernethy joined the National Park Service, where many aspiring historians begin as seasonal employees. In summer and fall 2025, he worked at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park as a ranger, leading talks about the April 9, 1865, surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, seen as marking the beginning of the end of the Civil War.
As part of his duties, he demonstrated 19th-century printing methods used to produce parole passes for Confederate soldiers and helped plan Civil War-era style baseball games for visitors. He also assisted with archival work connected to long-term park projects.
“I am always looking out for roles where I can use the skills I learned at University Libraries,” said Abernethy. “Working on long and short-term projects with a great team in Special Collections directly translated into how I work with my National Park Service colleagues on strategic interpretive planning and everyday visitor interactions.”
In winter of 2025, Abernethy worked as a park guide at Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in Kentucky. There, he spent time researching, writing, and delivering programs about the January 1862 battle. That’s where Aaron D. Purcell, director of Special Collections and University Archives and his former supervisor, paid Abernethy a visit during a family trip and saw him in action.
“His success reflects the professional-level experience students gain in the department,” said Purcell. “Miles brought intellectual curiosity and persistence to his work with Civil War collections and researchers. Those qualities, combined with his ability to communicate clearly about history, prepared him well for a career in public service and historical interpretation.”
Miles Abernethy created a Civil War Baseball Game banner for an annual event at the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Photo courtesy of Miles Abernethy.
The road ahead
Abernethy is returning to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in March as a seasonal ranger once again, and is especially focused on programming related to America’s celebration of 250 years of independence. “Showing visitors that Central Virginia and the Civil War itself both have deep connections to our nation’s founding is one of my goals for this upcoming season,” said Abernethy. “I think the public is looking for these relationships when they come to sites that highlight our shared history.”
Ultimately, Abernethy remains focused on building a career that blends history with public service. “Elements of working in a professional environment, being a leader-follower, and cultivating a positive atmosphere were all skills that I honed at University Libraries and use in my work now,“ said Abernethy.
From transcribing letters in Special Collections to leading visitors through historic landscapes, Abernethy’s journey shows how library work can extend far beyond the bookshelves, shaping how history is preserved, shared, and understood by the public. And wherever his next assignment takes him, one thing remains constant: a Hokie’s commitment to serving others.
“If anything I do inspires someone to read more about American history, talk about it with their friends or family, or visit more historic places, then I know I've had an impact,” said Abernethy.
