[MassHistPres] Interpretive signage - findings

[Michele P. Barker]

As several members of the listserv asked me to share my findings on my
recent signage question, here are the results:

 

Organizations that might have suggestions about signage:

 

The National Heritage Areas are probably good places to ask about this sort
of thing. Besides doing their own NPS signage for the heritage area as a
whole, staff at the National Heritage Areas might be aware of which of their
communities have done particularly good signage projects.

(I'm guessing NPS signage is probable done in-house, but signage in the
individual towns might not be.)

 

There are 5 National Heritage Areas in Mass: John H. Chafee Blackstone River
Valley National Heritage Corridor - http://www.nps.gov/blac/index.htm -
Essex National Heritage Area - http://www.essexheritage.org/ Freedom's Way
National Heritage Area - http://www.freedomsway.org/towns/towns.html -
Quinebaug and Shetucket Valley National Heritage Area (aka "The Last Green
Valley") - http://www.tlgv.org/index.php Upper Housatonic Valley National
Heritage Area - http://www.upperhousatonicheritage.org/

 

Essex Heritage actually has a manual for interpretive signage. You can find
it online here -
http://www.essexheritage.org/commission/ENHASignManualOverview.pdf

 

Salem Heritage Network also has done a signage project. Examples are online
here:
http://salem-heritage-network.blogspot.com/2009/04/interpretive-historical-s
igns-for-union.html 

 

Companies that make interpretive signage for historic sites:

 

The Museum in the Streets  - http://www.themuseuminthestreets.com/index.html

 

Pannier Graphics - http://panniergraphics.com/index.php

 

Interpretive Exhibits, Inc. - http://interpexhibits.com/index.shtml

 

Erie Landmark Company -
http://www.erielandmark.com/products/metal-and-etched-photos

 

Sewah Studios - http://www.sewahstudios.com/product.htm

 

Mike Hanke of Design Division Inc.  

                Phone   413-549-0510

                Fax         413-549-0511

                91 Gray Street

                Amherst , MA 01002

 

I haven't worked with any of these companies personally, so check references
and conduct the usual due diligence if you're thinking of using them.

 

Towns that have done signage projects:

 

Although using CPA funds for signage can be problematic, I found several
towns who have done sign projects in the CPA database. I don't know exactly
what sorts of signs were created, though. The towns are: Norwell, Chatham,
North Andover, Amherst, Harwich, Becket, Rowley, Westport, Chatham,
Southampton, Grafton, Hopkinton, Quincy, Hamilton, Acton, Conway,
Sturbridge, Holliston, Northborough, Newton, Cambridge, Georgetown,
Westfield,  and Bourne. 

 

Agawam created signs for its historic cemeteries recently. 

 

                Oakham is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.  The
Oakham Historical Association has placed interpretive signs at about ten
locations around town, including places where the town's second village,
Coldbrook, existed until removed for the Quabbin Watershed. The Association
has also had several commemorative granite markers laser-etched and placed.

 

                Chatham is celebrating its 300th anniversary and had 14
interpretive signs made and placed at various historic sites around Town. 

                                Gary Gates Designs

                                1414 Main St.

                                Chatham MA 02633 

                Did the graphics and

                               Fossil Industries Inc.

                                44 Jefryn Blvd.

                                Deer Park NY 11729

               created the panels.

 

                Gloucester was also named as a town that has recently
installed interpretive signs. 

 

Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions and information! 

 

Regards,

 

Michele

 

Michele P. Barker

Circuit Rider

617-999-3256

mpbarker at preservationmass.org

Preservation Massachusetts

www.preservationmass.org

Old City Hall

45 School Street

Boston, MA 02108

 

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