Why The National Park Service Wants Your Help If You Can Read Cursive
If you were an overachiever in elementary school in the early 2000s, now is your time to shine. The National Park Service and the National Archives are looking to hire people who can read cursive, which is, apparently, a dwindling demographic. The fewer people who know how to read cursive, the harder it is to decipher historical documents that were written with good old-fashioned paper and pen. Which is exactly why these government agencies are putting out a public call for help.
The National Archives (which has one of the best museums in D.C.) usually employs volunteers to help them out with the process of transcribing historical documents such as eyewitness accounts, genealogy resources, and land purchase records. This time, it partnered with the National Park Service to pull out the big guns. These agencies are looking to hire cursive-fluent volunteers to help transcribe pension piles, bounty-land applications, and other business conducted by Revolutionary War veterans in time for the 250th anniversary of America's independence. This effort aims to give Americans a deeper look into what it was like in the country's early days and to honor the nation's first veterans. If interested, you can put your unique skill toward a noble cause.
Become a historian for the National Park Service
Contrary to popular belief, cursive is still being taught in schools. Half the states in the U.S. require cursive to be a part of school curriculum. However, since most communication is now done digitally, and handwritten communication typically utilizes block writing, many Americans have fallen out of practice. And because cursive-fluent Americans are so rare, it is a sought-after skill.
In fact, being cursive-fluent is one of the few skills you will need if you're interested in helping the National Archives and the National Park Service prepare for America's 250th birthday. You don't need to have a history degree or any kind of special training to qualify for this role. All you need to do is register for a free account. Once that's set up, volunteers can follow the instructions provided and start transcribing any of the available documents. It's a great way to pass time if you have a free hour or two in your day. You will have accomplished an important task for your nation and have something to brag about to the history buffs in your life.