The Loomis Chaffee students pored over the documents on their computer screens, transcribing the words, some clearer than others. What was clear to all is that this exercise brings history to life in real time. 

Sine 2017, across the world, thousands of people have celebrated the birthday of Frederick Douglass, one of the most influential Black leaders of the 1800s, by transcribing historical documents that provide more access to written works of Black scholars and activists. Douglass (1818–95), who was enslaved for the first 20 years of his life, did not know the exact date of his birth but chose to celebrate on February 14. After escaping from slavery in 1938, he rose to prominence as an abolitionist, author, orator, and early proponent of women’s rights. 

This year’s transcription project focused on documents related to the Colored Conventions. From 1830 until well after the Civil War, Blacks gathered across the United States and Canada to be a part of political meetings at the state, regional, and national level campaigning for civil and human rights. 

On Friday, February 13, Loomis Chaffee students in all grades transcribed documents in the Writing Studio in Brush Library and in the Commons in Chaffee Hall. The Loomis Chaffee Chamber Singers gathered to sing “Lift Every Voice.” On Monday, February 16, students in the College-Level Race in America class transcribed in the Writing Studio. 

As Director of Writing Initiatives John Morrell said, “The Colored Conventions project was a grassroots political organizing movement, and the scholarship we are doing is grassroots public history.” 

Senior Julia Liu called the experience “gratifying and fun.” 

“This teaches you to be a lot more informed of the past through the direct experience of others and the archival historical voices, many of which are overlooked,” Julia said. It “feels nice to not only learn from, but to contribute to Douglass Day.” 

Hattie Willard, a senior, participated in Douglass Day this year and last year.  

“It is really interesting to be impactful on history in real time, to be transcribing documents that people can learn from in the future,” she said.