Project Description
In 2021, W&L joined a multi-institutional project, On These Grounds: Slavery and the University, to develop and test a data model for representing events in the lives of enslaved people at colleges and universities. This project builds on decades of research by faculty, staff, students, and independent researchers on the history of slavery at Washington College, but requires a fresh look at the archival sources to interpret and create a new form of data. Students will transcribe 19th century documents, then create data for the events-based model based on the content in the documents, in order to rebuild the story of those individuals enslaved by Washington College. Attention to detail, ability to work independently, interest in wrestling with complex, upsetting, and incomplete sources are necessary skills.
Prerequisites
ability to read 19th century handwriting; experience with using primary sources to conduct research
Special Comments
Project Information (subject to change)
Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025
Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025
Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks
Maximum Number of Students Sought: 1
Research Location: On campus
Contact Information: Paula Kiser (email: kiserp@wlu.edu)