The History of House Plaques
Walking down the street you may see a house that looks out of place or a building that does not fit the neighborhood. Often, outside historical properties or houses where significant events happened or where important people once hung their hat, communities mark those properties in various ways and with various levels of detail.
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Beginning to Identify
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Houses of historical significance and the plaques placed on those houses of significance became a custom with several historical societies in the United Kingdom. The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities later brought the practice to the United States.
First Efforts to Preserve
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The first major effort to preserve a historic house was undertaken in 1858. The effort was undertaken to restore Mount Vernon (home of President George Washington) for future generations to enjoy. Since then homes that have played a role in history have had plaques placed outside them to make sure people who pass by know about the history of the residence. Most restoration and house plaques are paid for with private funds.
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Historic Districts
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Several communities have districts in their town where there are houses and neighborhoods they want to preserve. These areas are known as historic districts. In some districts, large informational signs are placed on homes, while other districts opt for a simple plaque noting the date the house was built. These districts work to preserve the integrity and look of the houses on the exterior while allowing for all the comforts of modern living inside the house.
Types of House Plaques
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Houses can have plaques with a wide variety of information. The plaque can be as small as a date placed outside the front door of a house, or a plaque large enough to be seen by a person a block away. Many historical societies or historical preservation groups will place larger plaques outside a home that tells the story of a former owner, or explains the role a house played in a historical event.
Getting a Plaque for My Home
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Many owners of houses that have played a role in history and are deserving of a house plaque purchase them for the home with their own funds. There are several places these house plaques can be bought or manufactured. Reaching out to your local or state preservation society is a good place to start your efforts to get your house plaque and preserve history for generations to come.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit historic building image by green308 from Fotolia.com
