This is a virtual program.
Transcribe-A-Thons are back! Explore the history of Sandy Spring through transcription! Transcribe original archival documents to help make these fascinating and important artifacts searchable and accessible to all.
All 2025 transcribe-a-thons* will focus on documents which contain information about the Black community in Sandy Spring, a community which has previously been under-documented in the Museum’s archives. By transcribing these 19th century documents, you make the entire content searchable allowing all instances of a person’s name to be found across our archives rather than simply by the details of their documents’ white authors.
There will be one virtual session over zoom from 3-5pm. SSM staff will be on the call to help answer questions. This opportunity is appropriate for ages 13 and up. Many documents require the ability to read cursive to transcribe. SSL hours are available.
For accommodation requests, please email bmiller@sandyspringmuseum.org or call 301-774-0022.
Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:
- A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with a completed permission form authorizing the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering. Access the form here.
- Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.
- Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.
- The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.
- Virtual sessions will not be recorded.
- Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.
- Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.
*This project has been financed in part with State funds from the Maryland 250 Commission, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. Project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the State or Maryland 250 Commission.
