Melina Stewart
Melina, an interior designer with Bartlett & West, has worked on numerous historic properties throughout her career. She grew up visiting historic homes and museums and developed a lifelong love of history. Her interest in historic preservation started after buying her first home, which she briefly thought was a Garlinghouse home, sending her down a rabbit hole of research and connecting with Topeka historians on Garlinghouse history. It is unconfirmed, but likely not, a Garlinghouse design, sadly.
She’s served on the Topeka Landmarks Commission since 2020 and has attended many preservation related trainings and conferences with them.
Melina joined the Kansas Preservation Alliance board in 2021 and is now serving as President for 2024-2025. Her goals for KPA are to expand education on preservation throughout Kansas and provide additional support to building owners starting the preservation process.