February 14: Frederick Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon

Posted by casadm on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in Events, News, uncategorized.

Frederick Douglass’ 200th Birthday and Transcribe-a-thon

Vanderbilt Center for Digital Humanities, 344 Buttrick Hall

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Although Douglass was born into bondage, and never knew his birthdate, he chose to celebrate every year on February 14. Celebrate his elected birthday and his legacy by joining together with others to transcribe documents from the Freedmen’s Bureau Papers, making these important records more accessible to researchers worldwide. No experience necessary; instruction will be provided throughout the event. Drop-ins welcome. Celebratory snacks will be served.

Participants can connect with simultaneous events around the country and abroad via live video feed from the Colored Conventions Project.

Tentative Schedule for Wednesday, February 14

10:30 Begin live streaming video.

11:00 Welcome to the Transcribe-a-thon! Blessing & “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

11:05 Discussion of the Colored Conventions Movement and the Freedmen’s Bureau

11:15 A History of Douglass Day Celebrations

11:20 How to transcribe the Freedmen’s Bureau

11:30 Time for transcribing (45 mins)

12:15 A reading from an 1876 speech by Douglass

12:30 Time for transcribing (45 mins)

1:15 History of the Freedmen’s Bureau

1:25 Sing “Happy Birthday” and cut the cake

1:30 Share discoveries from the records

1:40 Closing discussion

2:00 Live stream ends

This event is a co-presentation with the Smithsonian Transcription Center and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, organized by the Colored Conventions Project and sponsored locally by the Center for Digital Humanities and the Warren Center.

More information on the project can be found at: http://coloredconventions.org/hbd.