Preserving History through Digital Transcription
Volunteering with the Smithsonian Digital Transcription Center was an interesting and educational experience that allowed me to help preserve historical records. The Smithsonian created this program so volunteers, called “volunpeers,” can work together to transcribe handwritten documents into searchable digital text. Since the program began in 2013, volunteers have helped transcribe over a million pages of materials, including field notes, diaries, manuscripts, photo albums, and specimen labels.
One aspect I enjoyed about this activity was the ability to choose projects that matched my interests. The website offers general categories such as mysteries of the universe, women’s history, and world cultures, as well as projects connected to specific Smithsonian museums and archives, such as the National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art. There is also a “new projects” section where volunteers can find recently added materials to work on.
I carefully read handwritten historical documents and typed the text into a digital format. Before starting you have to watch a tutorial that trains you on the specific process to follow.
The activity required patience and attention to detail because older handwriting can sometimes be difficult to read. It was fun to think that my contributions could help make these historical materials easier for researchers, students, and the public to access in the future. After transcription, other volunteers reviewed the work to make sure the text was correct. Peer review!
What I enjoyed most about volunteering with the Smithsonian Digital Transcription Center was the opportunity to interact with real historical materials. There were many really interesting documents to look through. It felt like stepping into the past and helping preserve stories that might otherwise remain difficult to access.
I also appreciated that this work allowed me to do the activity from anywhere and contribute to museums and archives. It is a great activity to de-stress and it’s easy to fit it into busy lives.
This experience helped me understand how technology and teamwork can protect important pieces of history. By participating in digital transcription, I contributed to preserving knowledge and making it available to a wider audience.
Volunteering with the Smithsonian inspired me to value historical preservation and recognize the importance of making information accessible for future generations.
Interested in transcribing? Check out: