Volunteers help preserve local Civil War history

Ann Brown

30 Jun 2026

A picture of an original Civil War letter from the Wharton and Radford Collection. — A Civil War letter from the Wharton and Radford Collection. Photo by Chase Parker for Virginia Tech.

Few experiences compare to holding an original Civil War-era letter and reading the firsthand accounts of someone who lived through one of the nation’s most turbulent times.

On Saturday, July 11, community members can do just that during "Voices of the American Civil War: Transcribing the Wharton and Radford Papers," a public event focused on preserving and expanding access to Civil War-era correspondence between a Confederate general and his wife.

Beginning at 1 p.m. in Newman Library’s 101S classroom, attendees will receive an introduction to transcription practices before using laptops or tablets to create digital copies of handwritten correspondence. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet, though a limited number of loaner laptops will be available.

The work completed during the event will support ongoing efforts to expand public access to the collection. Before archival documents can be published online and made searchable, they must be transcribed into digital text.

The event highlights the role community members can play in preserving and sharing historical materials. By contributing their time and curiosity, volunteers help transform handwritten documents into resources that researchers around the world can discover and use.

"This is an incredible experience for history lovers because it offers them a chance to hold a piece of history in their hands and hear directly from someone who was experiencing these events," said Kat Zinn, project archivist with Special Collections and University Archives. "These letters offer unique firsthand accounts of life during and around the American Civil War. They tell us what ordinary people were thinking, feeling, and doing."

Not your usual event

Unlike a traditional lecture or exhibit, participants play a direct role in preserving history. Attendees can drop in throughout the afternoon, spend as much time as they like transcribing letters, and complete multiple documents if they choose.

Each participant will receive a letter from the collection and guidance on creating an accurate transcription. Deciphering names, locations, and historical references can be challenging, particularly when working with handwriting styles rarely used today. Archivists will be available throughout the event to provide support.

"The biggest challenge with transcription is often the handwriting," Zinn said. "The letters are all in cursive, and some of them use older forms of cursive that are unfamiliar to us today."

Organizers expect about 30 participants, building on a previous transcription event that attracted approximately 25 attendees.

Whether participants are history enthusiasts or simply curious about archival research, the event offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with primary sources while helping to preserve and share Virginia’s history.

Individuals with a disability who desire an accommodation, welcome! Please email katherinez@vt.edu as soon as possible prior to the event.