Voices of Freedom

THIS EVENT IS FULL

Transcribing the Freedmen’s Bureau
An Acts of Science: Connected Event

Friday, April 10 · 12:30–3 p.m. or 4:30–7 p.m.

Registration is required and is limited to 15 people per session

All ages · Individuals or families · Must be able to read cursive
You bring your own laptop · Wifi provided

HISTORIANS UNCOVER THE PAST through the writings people leave behind. But what happens when we can’t read those writings? Under guidance from staff at the Smithsonian Transcription Center, you can learn to transcribe documents from the Smithsonian’s Freedmen’s Bureau collection, making them readable and usable.

THE FREEDMEN’S BUREAU was a U.S. agency set up in 1865, at the end of the Civil War, to assist in the social and economic transition of nearly 4 million people from slavery to freedom and citizenship. It operated until 1872.

BONUS PROGRAM: Between the two sessions, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., you can:

• See handwritten documents and historic writing utensils from our collection.
• Practice penmanship on slates, as you might have done in a one-room schoolhouse in the 1870s.
• Then try your penmanship skills with pen and ink on paper.
• View the interactive Road to Liberty exhibit.

We are proud to host this program from the Smithsonian Transcription Center with coordination by SciStarter as part of its Citizen Science Month, a partner of America250!

ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN TRANSCRIPTION CENTER: We engage the public in making our priceless collections more accessible. We work hand-in-hand with a community of Digital Volunteers called “volunpeers” to transcribe historical documents and collection records to facilitate research and excite learning in audiences everywhere. Participants have the chance to transcribe a diverse array of collection materials drawn from Smithsonian holdings in science, history, art, and culture. Even transcribing one line is a big help! Learn more.

ABOUT SCISTARTER AND CITIZEN SCIENCE MONTH: Citizen Science Month is a global celebration every April that invites everyone, everywhere to participate in real scientific research. Throughout the month, thousands of citizen projects and hundreds of events make it easy for people everywhere to take part in science together. The shared goal of Citizen Science Month 2026 is to have 2.50 million Acts of Science in one month in celebration of America’s 250^th birthday. Learn more.