Join us for a Thomas Paine Symposium Saturday, March 13, at 9 a.m., and a hands-on Transcribe-a-Thon at the Holland-Waller Center on the Harding University campus in Searcy, Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m., featuring Arkansas TV, the Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library and the Library of Congress. Funded by WETA and The Stella Boyle Smith Trust, celebrate history by helping transcribe primary-source documents from the Revolutionary era.
The Thomas Paine Symposium will examine “Common Sense,” its revolutionary impact and Paine’s broader legacy. In conjunction with the event, The Remnant Trust will display approximately 20 rare early American first printings, including works by Paine and first editions of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
The following morning, the Transcribe-a-Thon program will open with an exclusive preview of the upcoming documentary, “The American Revolution,” directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Afterward, participants will help transcribe Revolutionary-era documents through the Library of Congress’s "By the People" project, preserving stories of the past and ensuring they remain accessible for future generations. Participants will work with three featured collections: “North American Print Culture in a Revolutionary Age,” “Women of the Early Republic” and “Early Copyright Ledgers.”
No prior experience is required and lunch will be provided!
No prior experience is required and lunch will be provided! Volunteers will receive guidance on how to create and review transcriptions, making rare historical records searchable and widely available. Transcription work will take place on computers. Participants are welcome to bring their own laptop or tablet if they prefer, and computers will also be available for those who are unable or prefer not to bring a device. This is a special opportunity to step into America’s founding era, strengthen civic understanding and play a direct role in a nationwide effort.
Keep an eye out as more transcribe-a-thons are added to a library near you! We’ve partnered with the Springdale and Garland County Public Libraries for future transcribe-a-thons. Visit myarpbs.org/events.
JOIN OTHER EVENTS
Join a Transcribe-a-Thon Saturday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Springdale Public Library.
Join a Transcribe-a-Thon Tuesday, June 16, at noon at the Garland County Public Library.
GET INVOLVED
Be a part of the conversation using #ARVoicesAt250.
Learn more at myarpbs.org/america250.
Find a screening event near you at myarpbs.org/events.
Join a Transcribe-a-Thon Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the Holland-Waller Center on the Harding University campus.
Corporate funding for “The American Revolution” was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for “The American Revolution” was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. “The American Revolution” was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.