[MassHistPres] Historic Building Plaques and Interpretive signs

[WN Hill Preservation]

While plaques mounted on buildings are very helpful, because they don't
have room for a lot of extra information beyond name and date,
it is also worthwhile to consider opportunities for other types of
interpretive signage.  Interested to learn if other communities are also
adding signage with more room for photos and storytelling, plus these can
can carry a QR code where people can learn more (hard to put on a metal or
wooden plaque).


We have had a community-based initiative for a series of interpretive
signs. Just attaching a few illustrations in case that is relevant. These
are high quality laminate signs meeting National Park Service Standards
measuring 24 ' x 36 "

Laura Foote



On Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM Barbara Kurze via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> 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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>>
>>
>>
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-- 

wnhpreservation at gmail.com
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