HISTORIC PROPERTY PLAQUES AVAILABLE THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Eligible

homeowners can purchase the plaques from the SHPC for fifty dollars ($50),

which is at-cost from the City's vendor. Each plaque identifies the historic

name of the house, based upon the first one or two owners, and the date of

construction or, if not exactly known, "circa" is used. The SHPC is making

these plaques available again to eligible homeowners at a reasonable cost to

increase public awareness of Somerville's historic assets, by both residents

and tourists alike. 

"We

are proud that we have nearly 400 historic properties of all types-residences,

businesses, as well as religious and civic buildings-that are still

sufficiently intact to be celebrated," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "The buildings

are part of the cultural fabric that makes our city unique and appealing. They

inform who we are today, and are something we always want to preserve for

future generations. I'm pleased that the City is extending this program to even

more properties throughout Somerville."

The

Historic Plaque Program was first started in the 1990's, but many owners did

not purchase or own the property at the time, and many are eager to remedy this

lost opportunity. In addition, many new properties have been designated since

that time, including the Aldersey-Summit Historic District in 2003. Also from

2005-2008, the Commission, with the benefit of State and Federal grants,

oversaw the historic surveying of another 200 properties throughout the City. This

Local Historic District Expansion Project led to the proposed designation of more

than an additional 160 properties to the Board of Aldermen in 2009. Fifty-five

of those properties have been designated to date and are in the process of

installing plaques on their properties. (See the attached photos).

 "The goal is to install plaques on as many of

the City's designated historic properties as possible, in order to raise our

collective consciousness about Somerville as a place with a long and storied

history," said Brandon Wilson, Executive Director of the Historic Preservation

Commission. "The individual surveys describe the people, events, and

architecture that have significantly shaped the community since its

establishment in 1842, and the plaques further showcase the property to the

wider community." 

Current homeowners who believe that their property may have

architectural and/or historical significance are encouraged to have their

property surveyed to determine eligibility. 

A list of architectural historians who can undertake this work can be

provided upon request.  Those interested

in learning more about the Historic Plaque Program, or the surveying and

designation process should contact Historic Preservation Commission Executive

Director J. Brandon Wilson at 617-625-6600 ext. 2532 or bwilson@somervillema.gov.