TRANSCRIPTION AND METADATA (1 POSITION)
Maine Historical Society – Portland, Maine https://www.mainehistory.org/
The Maine Historical Society preserves the heritage and history of Maine: the stories of Maine people, the traditions of Maine communities, and the record of Maine’s place in a changing world. Because an understanding of the past is vital to a healthy and progressive society, we collect, care for, and exhibit historical treasures; facilitate research into family, local, state, and national history; provide education programs that make history meaningful, accessible and enjoyable; and empower others to preserve and interpret the history of their communities and our state.
MHS is participating in the Congregational Library’s (Boston) Hidden History Project, aimed at digitizing unpublished Congregational church records from around New England. The Abyssinian Church and Meeting House is one of the oldest standing African-American congregational meetinghouses in the Unites States. The records, ca. 1828-1876, represent a vibrant 19th Cent. African-American community in Portland, ME, where the Abyssinian served as a spiritual, cultural and educational center for the local population, Abolitionist movements, and a school for area children.
Position Description: A digital history internship, the position is aimed at providing full-text access to the significant Abyssinian Meetinghouse records.