[MassHistPres] Historic Building Plaques

[Barbara Kurze]

Hello,

The City of Newton has a Historic House Marker program: Historic House
Markers | City of Newton, MA
<https://www.newtonma.gov/government/historic-newton/rent-shop/historic-house-markers>
.
They also offer a list of resources that homeowners can use if they want to
do their own reserach: Research Resources | City of Newton, MA
<https://www.newtonma.gov/government/historic-newton/research/research-resources>
 .

You might contact them to learn more about what guidelines are used -
jackson at historicnewton.org or 617796-1450.

Best,
Barbara Kurze

On Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:36 PM george boyd via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> The Brewster Historical Commission is finishing a multi-year effort
> creating new and updating older Form-B's for the 300 or so Historical
> structures in our town. Does anyone have sources of manufacturers who
> produce historical plaques of metal?
>
> George Boyd
>
> Brewster Historical Commission
> On 3/23/2026 11:55 AM, Susan Morreale via MassHistPres wrote:
>
> 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
>
> ------------------------------
> 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
>
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