Are you interested in getting hands-on experience with American Civil War letters? Have you ever been curious about what people were talking about then? Have you ever wondered how historical materials are made accessible? If so, this is a great opportunity to look at correspondence and to learn a bit more about what goes on behind the scenes at an archive! 

Come join us in transcribing handwritten, cursive letters from the Wharton and Radford Families Papers. The Wharton and Radford families were prominent figures in Southwest Virginia, including the namesake of Radford, Virginia, Dr. John B. Radford, and Confederate General Gabriel C. Wharton, who helped establish Virginia Tech.

Drop in when you’re able and stay as long as you’d like! We will provide a brief introduction to transcription before you get started. The ability to read cursive is a must. Please bring your own laptop or tablet with an internet connection. There will be a VERY LIMITED quantity of laptops available for use; first come, first served. 

Content warning: The Wharton and Radford Families Papers may contain references to slavery, people who were enslaved, and historical events that reflect the shared attitudes and values of a Confederate family. Special Collections and University Archives at Virginia Tech recognizes that some materials contain offensive content that does not reflect the University’s “Principles of Community”. We preserve and present these materials in their original and unaltered form to provide as accurate and complete a picture of the past as possible, which is necessary to maintain historical integrity and accountability.