Historical marker

A historical marker or historic marker is an indicator such as a plaque or sign to commemorate an event or person of historic interest and to associate that point of interest with a specific locale one can visit. [http://www.lat34north.com/HistoricMarkers/MarkerDefinition.cfm] Historic Markers Across Georgia]

Description

Many historical markers are put on display by national agencies concerned with historic preservation such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation or the National Register of Historic Places [ [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/research/nris.htm] National Register of Historic Places] (in the United States), the Canadian Register of Historic Places [ [http://www.historicplaces.ca Canada's Historic Places] The Canadian Register of Historic Places] (in Canada), the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty [ [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/] The National Trust] (in the United Kingdom), An Taisce [ [http://www.antaisce.org/] "An Taisce" — National Trust for Ireland] (in Ireland), and the National Trusts of other countries.

Other historical markers are created by local municipalities, non-profit organizations, companies, or individuals. In addition to geographically defined regions, individual organizations, such as E Clampus Vitus or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, can choose to maintain a national set of historical markers that fit a certain theme. [ [http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/464343.html] "Making Their Markers"]

Examples

The criteria and circumstances through which a party administers the distribution of historical markers varies. For example, the "Preservation Worcester" program in Worcester, Massachusetts allows a person to register their house or other structure of least fifty years of age if the building is well-preserved with retention of its original character and importance to the architectural, cultural or historical nature of the local neighborhood. One then pays a fee ($185 to $225) to receive the historical marker itself. [ [http://www.preservationworcester.org/pages/historic_marker.html] Preservation Worcester]

In the same state, the Boston neighborhood of Charlestown, Massachusetts has a its own local association to administer historical markers. [ [http://www.charlestownpreservation.org/historicmarkers.html] Charlestown Preservation Society] Other historical markers in and around Boston are administered by agencies such as the The Bostonian Society2007 Catalogue For Philanthropy] or are associated with sites such as those along the Freedom Trail, the Black Heritage Trail, and the Emerald Necklace. [ [http://www.nps.gov/bost/] Boston National Historic Park]

Other examples of mostly locally-generated historical markers in the United States include the plaque outside the Alaska Governor's Mansion made by the Alaska Centennial Commission's historical markers program [ [http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=82f607f0-483e-4514-a4a9-bfeefaca17b0] Alaska Historic Markers] , the historical markers of State Historic Marker Council in Florida [ [http://www.flheritage.com/preservation/compliance/laws/1a_48.pdf] Florida Heritage & Preservation] , the markers placed by various agencies in Georgia (of which one source mentions 2,830 different historical markers ), in Indiana it is illegal to create a historical marker in the "state format" with first getting official approval from that state's historical bureau, [ [http://www.in.gov/history/7363.htm] Historical Marker FAQs] historical markers in Kansas erected by the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Department of Transportation [ [http://www.kshs.org/tourists/markers.htm] Kansas Historical Markers] , the Roadside Historic Marker Program in Maryland administered by the Maryland Historical Trust [ [http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/marker.html] Maryland Historical Trust ] , the State Historic Marker Program of New York (begun in 1926 to commemorate the Sequicentennial of the American Revolution) [ [http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/services/marker/srvmarker.html] New York State Museum] , the historic markers placed as recently as 2008 in Sussex County, New Jersey, [ [http://www.sussex.nj.us/Cit-e-Access/news/index.cfm?NID=11011&TID=7&jump2=0] Sussex County News and Information] , the New Mexico historical markers printed in white letters on a brown background by the New Mexico Department of Transportation [ [http://www.nmshtd.state.nm.us/upload/images/District%202/PR4-HistoricMarkersReplaced-2008.pdf] New Mexico Department of Transportation] , the historical markers of North Carolina (the Historical Publications Section of the state Office of Archives and History publishes a "Guide to North Carolina Highway Historical Markers") [ [http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/464343.html] "News Observer" (Jul 26, 2006)] , the more than 1200 historical markers of Ohio (all of which are now made in a Marietta, Ohio workshop) [ [http://www.touring-ohio.com/history/state-markers.html] Manufacturing Ohio's Historic Markers] , and over 470 official state markers in Wisconsin. [ [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/markers/faq.asp] Wisconsin Historical Society]

Blue plaques are the principle type of historical markers found throughout England and are the closest thing there is to a historical marker system in that country. An example is the blue plaque scheme run by English Heritage in London. Founded by the Royal Society of Arts in 1867 and later taken over by London County Council, these were originally erected in a variety of shapes and colors. The National Trust (which is a non-profit charity organization unlike English Heritage and English Heritage properties) has its own similar markers as well. [http://www.markeroni.com/lists/list_eng.php] Information about historical markers and historical plaques,and historic preservation in England, British Isles.] [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1494] English Heritage]

However, not all historical markers in the United Kingdom are blue, and many are not ceramic. There are commemorative plaque schemes in Bath, Edinburgh, Brighton, Liverpool, Loughton, and elsewhere -- some of which differ from the familar blue plaque . A scheme in Manchester uses color-coded plaques to commemorate figures, with each of the colors corresponding to the person's occupation. The Dead Comics' Society installs blue plaques to commemorate the former residences of well-known comedians, including those of Sid James and John Le Mesurier. In 2003, the London Borough of Southwark started a plaque scheme which included living people in the awards. Even in London, the Westminster City Council runs a green plaque scheme is run alongside that of the blue plaque scheme administered by English Heritage. Other schemes are run by civic societies, district or town councils, or local history groups, and often operate with different criteria.

Gallery

Some sample images of historical markers from different places:

ee also

*Blue plaque
*List of New York State Historic Markers
* [http://www.markeroni.com/catalog/ Catalog of historical markers]
* [http://www.markeroni.com/lists/ Historical markers by state/province]
*New Hampshire Historical Markers
*Villa Rica Historical Markers
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Historical_markers Category:Historical markers]

Bibliography

* English Heritage, "Blue Plaques: A Guide to the Scheme", 2002
* Nick Rennison, "The London Blue Plaque Guide", 2003
* Derek Sumeray, "Discovering London Plaques"
* Derek Sumeray, "Track the Plaque", 2003

References