About this Event

The ability to read and analyze cursive handwriting is essential for those who will encounter historic handwritten documents as part of their research.

During this hands-on workshop, develop that skill by practicing reading and transcribing manuscripts that are handwritten in 19th-century American cursive from the Library’s Special Collections. You will also learn how to recognize common penmanship and explore the historical context of penmanship in 18th- and 19th-century America.

Kaitlyn Tanis, history and social sciences librarian, and Rebecca Johnson Melvin, manuscripts librarian and curator of the Joseph R. Biden Jr. senatorial papers, will lead the workshop.

This in-person workshop is open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Graduate College.

Registration is required as seating is limited. The workshop will not be recorded.