[MassHistPres] Historic Building Plaques

[Susan Morreale]

In Gloucester, we do not have specific guidelines. Because, however, 
MACRIS listings (Form B) are notoriously in need of updating per the 
state (see below), we require our historic plaque applicants to do 
in-depth research of the building, relying on our Archives Committee to 
do the research. The Commission then, does further research to update 
the MACRIS listing. In many cases, we change the historic name to match 
the updated research, in particular, adding a wife's name if married to 
the person/man on the deed. BTW - the ship in the arch is the 
Ernestina-Morrisey, the state vessel and the only surviving 19th century 
Gloucester-built fishing schooner.

Regards,
- Susan

*Susan Morreale*
Gloucester Historical Commission 
<https://gloucester-ma.gov/109/Historical-Commission>
Gloucester, MA
617.852.2373



2023-2031 Draft - Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Plan
Page 23 Documentation and Protection: “…there were pushes in the 1970s 
and 1980s in many communities to document their historic resources, but 
since that time many of these inventories have not been revisited or 
updated. These earlier generation inventory forms may be missing 
historic documentation that is now more readily accessible digitally, 
and there may be resources that were not surveyed because they were then 
considered too recent.”
Source: 
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/mhc/download/2023-2031-state%20hist-pres-plan-comment.pdf 

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On 3/21/2026 2:22 PM, JB via MassHistPres wrote:
> The Lenox Historical Commission has an Historic Building Plaque 
> Program which has usually used the building's Form B as a reference 
> for the Historic Name. In a few cases we have used the Common Name 
> when it is listed on the Form B and has wide community recognition.
>
> We are currently developing a set of guidelines to help commission 
> members better decide between when to use the Historic Name or the 
> Common Name.
>
> I have searched about 10 town's plaque program details without finding 
> any examples or helpful information.
>
> Does anyone know of any towns that might have such guidelines?
>
> We welcome your comments.
>
> Jim BIancolo
> Lenox Historical Commission
> Volunteer
>
> _______________________________________________
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> https://mailman.cs.umb.edu/listinfo/masshistpres

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