[MassHistPres] Historical Markers For Houses

[Richard Smith]

In Swampscott, we have a Preservation Awards program which gives out 2-4 awards a year to people who have done restoration, preservation or historically informed maintenance of historic houses.  We give them a plaque and a researched history of their house.  We are currently trying to set up a revolving account to allow others in the historic district to buy a plaque.  There has never been any controversy about giving the awards.

 

One question I might ask in your case- who owns the plaque?  If the Historical Commission owns the plaque, it would simply be a town agency marking historic locations in town.

 

Richard Smith

Swampscott Historical Commission

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of RafaelRobertDelfin
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 9:15 PM
To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Historical Markers For Houses

 

Hello everyone,

 

I launched a Historical Marker Program in my town, Dighton last year and I and other members of the Dighton Historical Commission have just approved the application of a resident whose house is over 100 years old and has a lot of historical significance. 

Initially, the Commission had voted to pay for the manufacture of the historical marker by using funds that the Town of Dighton had granted to the Commission. The average cost of a historical marker is $125. However, when the Town Administrator learned about this, she suggested that paying for the marker would be a conflict of interest (ergo, "unethical" and possibly "illegal'), and that the recipient should pay for the marker himself/herself. I have always thought that the Commission is acting on its own jurisdiction and that we have the right to use the funds as we see fit as long as it assists in the preservation of local history.

 

I am addressing my questions to members of town historical commissions who grant historical markers to residents: "Do the recipients have to pay for the marker, or does your commission pay for it?" And would you agree/disagree with the Dighton Town Administrator's statement? I guess I am looking for a legitimate recourse to bring to the table when the Town Administrator attends our next meeting on April 10.

 

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.




Sincerely,

-- 

Rafa Delfin, Vice-Chair

Dighton Historical Commission

774-766-2928

rafadello at gmail.com <mailto:rafadello at gmail.com> 

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