Design a Historic Marker Program

For over 30 years, Healy Plaques has been providing custom cast bronze and aluminum historical markers for historically significant locations throughout the country. We use our extensive experience with state, district, and local Historical Societies, Preservation Societies, Historical Commissions, and homeowners to seamlessly guide you through the ordering process.

Plaques are a great way for you to get the message across that your community’s historic resources are important to preserve. Many communities across the country have historical plaque programs already in place. These towns actively use plaque programs to recognize historic preservation accomplishments, increase owner appreciation, and educate visitors.

Healy Plaques understands that developing historical house plaque programs and historical marker programs can take time, funding, and require group approval. That is why we are dedicated to helping your committee through the process. We can also suggest cost saving ways to help your program meet your budget. Using our extensive experience with historical plaque needs, we have created this plaque program outline and examples to help with creating your own plaque program.

If your organization has envisioned designs for any upcoming plaques or would like us to propose one for you, our sales team would love to create a price quote and design a free proof for your review.

Historical House Plaque and Historical Marker Programs

What information should your plaques contain?

These plaques typically provide the building’s construction date and the name of the original owner. Some organizations also like to show the street address, society name, town name or seal, name given to the structure, historical significance, or architectural style. Larger historical or state markers will have more in depth descriptions and even busts.

Will the plaque information be verified?

Some communities prefer to have an application that is filled out by the owner of the building and sent in for approval. This allows the information to be verified by your organization.

Bronze vs Aluminum

Bronze is an amazingly durable alloy which withstands the elements better than any other metal. It can also be refinished to restore to like-new condition. However, aluminum will also withstand the elements for many years and has a much lower price point.

Sizes and Shapes

Typical sizes for house plaques range between 6”x 8” and 12” x 15” for rectangular plaques, and 7” x 10” and 8” x 11.5” for oval plaques. Plaques for public buildings (library, town hall, schools, ect.) are typically between 14” x 18” and 18” x 24” which allow for more detailed description, larger logos, and busts. Plaques larger than these are used as historical or state markers, usually with pole cap mounting.



Plaques typically have a brown background color, but some communities choose to use a distinct color to unify these historically significant locations and separate themselves from other nearby plaque programs.

Funding and Ownership

Payment for historical house plaques varies depending on the funding available. Payment is sometimes requested with the plaque application. However, this does not always necessarily mean that the plaque belongs to the applicant. Many towns or organizations will choose to keep ownership of all plaques so that they may require refinishing, removal, or replacement if necessary. Other organizations will have their own yearly budget for plaque costs and will present the homeowner with the plaque, along with full ownership of the plaque.


National Register Plaque Pamphlets

Many sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places arrange for a commemorative plaque. Since the National Register of Historic Places does not issue plaques as a result of the listing, the National Park Service recommends that individuals contact their historic societies, commissions, or preservation offices to find out more information. To help members of your community get the information that they are seeking, we will gladly send our National Register Plaque Pamphlets to your offices. This pamphlet also has a perforated order form that may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed over for their convenience.


Let us help you get started

You can call us directly or fill out the information below and we'll contact you shortly to discuss what kind of program will work for you.