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Hands on Documents

Reading and Writing in Colonial America

Come learn about reading, writing and education in Colonial America with a hands-on display of original and reproduction books, newspapers, printing type, and more! Appropriate for ages 4+.

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate 250 years of independence.

Discover the science behind preserving historic documents, try your hand at creating your own document by writing with a hand-cut quill pen and ink made from an 18th century recipe, or fold and seal a letter to take home.

Presenter: Ben Bartgis is a conservator based in Annapolis, MD who loves bringing conservation science out of the lab and into historic sites, schools, and more through living history demos and activities. They received their MA in Preventive Conservation from Northumbria University, a certificate from Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, and participated in the Revolution in Books NEH Summer Institute at Florida Atlantic University in 2022.  

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