May 29, 2026
Hands-on events will include preview of ‘The American Revolution’
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas TV) — Arkansas TV and the Arkansas Center for the Book, a program of the Arkansas State Library, are inviting the public to free, hands-on Transcribe-a-Thons across the state throughout June, starting at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at the Hempstead County Library in Hope. Guests planning to attend events in Hot Springs and El Dorado are encouraged to register at arkansastv.gov/events, while guests planning to attend the Hope or Helena event are encouraged to contact the Hempstead County and Phillips County Libraries.
Events are scheduled for the following cities and dates in June:
Hope – Hempstead County Library, 500 S. Elm St., Tuesday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m.
Hot Springs – Garland County Public Library, 1427 Malvern Ave., Tuesday, June 16, at 1 p.m.
Helena – Phillips County Library, 702 Porter St. No. 3142, Saturday, June 27, 10:30 a.m.
El Dorado – Mahony Family Library (Auditorium), South Arkansas College, 300 Summit Ave., Tuesday, June 30, 10:30 a.m.
The program will include clips of the documentary, “The American Revolution,” directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Afterward, participants will help transcribe Revolutionary-era documents through the Library of Congress’s "By the People" project, preserving stories of the past and ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.
No prior experience is required, and lunch or snacks will be provided for Transcribe-a-Thon attendees. Volunteers will receive guidance on how to create and review transcriptions, making rare historical records searchable and widely available. Transcription work will take place on computers. Participants are welcome to bring their own laptop or tablet if they prefer. Participants at the Hempstead County Library in Hope are encouraged to bring your own device. This is a unique opportunity to step into America’s founding era, deepen civic understanding and play a direct role in a nationwide effort.
Watch “The American Revolution,” a six-part, 12-hour documentary series on America’s founding struggle, on PBS Passport.
#ARVoicesAt250 is sponsored in part by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, whose support helps Arkansas TV share the stories, scholarship and civic conversations that connect our state to the American experience.
As part of the nationwide America250 commemoration, Arkansas TV invites Arkansans to reflect on our shared past and explore how our state’s stories continue to shape the nation’s future. Through community events, educational initiatives and special programming, Arkansas TV is amplifying local voices and connecting Arkansas’s history to America’s broader story. From community screenings and expert panels to interactive Transcribe-a-Thons and student storytelling through National History Day, the #ARVoicesAt250 campaign celebrates the people, places and ideas that have defined Arkansas for 250 years – and will continue to shape its next chapter. The public is encouraged to join the conversation using #ARVoicesAt250 and to explore upcoming events, educational resources and opportunities for engagement at arkansastv.gov/america250. #ARVoicesAt250 is sponsored in part by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, whose support helps Arkansas TV share the stories, scholarship and civic conversations that connect our state to the American experience.
Corporate funding for “The American Revolution” was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment, Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for “The American Revolution” was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. “The American Revolution” was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
About Arkansas TV
Arkansas TV, Arkansas’s only statewide public television network, informs and inspires learners of all ages through local storytelling, educational resources and meaningful community partnerships. Local programs can be livestreamed at arkansastv.gov/live and accessed on-demand at youtube.com/@arkansastv, and the distinct channels Arkansas TV and AIRS on SAP. Arkansas TV depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering locally produced, Arkansas-focused programming. Additional information is available at arkansastv.gov. Arkansas TV is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Yancy) and KETS (Gaither).
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