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Commemorative plaque

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Plaque in tribute toClaude BernardatCollège de Francein Paris
A Benin Bronze plaque
An example of a lightbox used as a commemorative plaque
This sign inDickson, Australian Capital Territorycommemorates the establishment ofCanberra'sfirstaerodromeand its first fatality in the 1920s.
A plaque commemorating the victims of a mass execution during theAxis occupation of Greecein Fregkaina, Greece.

Acommemorative plaque,or simplyplaque,or in other places referred to as ahistorical marker,historic marker,orhistoric plaque,is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text or an image inrelief,or both, to commemorate one or more persons, an event, a former use of the place, or some other thing. Many modern plaques and markers are used to associate the location where the plaque or marker is installed with the person, event, or item commemorated as a place worthy of visit.[1]A monumental plaque or tablet commemorating a deceased person or persons, can be a simple form ofchurch monument.Most modern plaques affixed in this way are commemorative of something, but this is not always the case, and there are purely religious plaques, or those signifying ownership or affiliation of some sort. Aplaquetteis a small plaque, but in English, unlike many European languages, the term is not typically used for outdoor plaques fixed to walls.

Historical

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Benin Kingdom

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Main article:Benin Bronzes

TheBenin Empire,which flourished in present-dayNigeriabetween the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, had an exceedingly rich sculptural tradition. One of the kingdom's chief sites of cultural production was the elaborate ceremonial court of theOba(divine king) at the palace in Benin. Among the wide range of artistic forms produced at the court were rectangular brass or bronze plaques. At least a portion of these plaques, which were mainly created from the thirteenth through sixteenth centuries, commemorate significant persons and events associated with the Oba's court,[2][3]including important battles during Benin's sixteenth century expansionary period.[4]

Medieval Europe

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Main article:Monumental brass

Brass or bronze memorial plaques were produced throughout medieval Europe from at least the early thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries as a form ofsepulchral memorialgenerally inset into the walls of churches or surfaces of tombs. Surviving in great numbers, they were manufactured from sheet brass orlatten,very occasionally coloured with enamels, and tend to depict highly conventional figures with brief inscriptions.[5][6]

Modern

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SirHenry Colehelped set up the first historical marker scheme in 1866.

Historical markers are put on display by the owners of sites listed by national agencies concerned withhistoric preservationsuch as theNational Trust for Historic Preservationand theNational Register of Historic Places[7](in the United States), theNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty[8](in the United Kingdom),An Taisce[9](in Ireland),National Historical Commission of the Philippines(in the Philippines), and the National Trusts of other countries.

Other historical markers are created by localmunicipalities,non-profit organizations,companies,or individuals. In addition to geographically defined regions, individual organizations, such asE Clampus Vitusor theAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers,can choose to maintain a national set of historical markers that fit a certain theme.[10]

TheRoyal Society of Artsestablished the first scheme in the world for historical commemoration on plaques in 1866.[11]

The scheme was established under the influence of the British politicianWilliam Ewartand thecivil servantHenry Cole.[12]The first plaque was unveiled in 1867 to commemorateLord Byronat his birthplace, 24 Holles Street,Cavendish Square.The earliest historical marker to survive, commemoratesNapoleon IIIin King Street,St James's,and was also put up in 1867.[13]

The original plaque colour was blue, but this was changed by the manufacturerMinton, Hollins & Coto chocolate brown to save money.[14]In 1901, the scheme was first taken over by the local government authority - theLondon County Council.[15]

Australia

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Commemorative Plaque at Halley Park in Victoria, Australia

Austria

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Belgium

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Canada

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Chile

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France

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Germany

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Löwenberger Land(Germany)

Hong Kong

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India

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Italy

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Netherlands

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New Zealand

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Philippines

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Main articles:Historical markers of the Philippines,List of Quincentennial historical markers in the Philippines,andList of Philippine Nationhood Trail historical markers

Historical markers (Filipino:panandang pangkasaysayan;Spanish:marcador histórico) are cast-iron plaques installed all over the Philippines that commemorate people, places, personalities, structures, and events. They are installed by theNational Historical Commission of the Philippines.This practice started in 1933, with NHCP's predecessor, the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee, which initially only marked antiquities inManila.[19]The initial markers were placed in 1934.

Markers have their texts primarily inFilipino,while there are also markers in the English language, especially for markers that were installed during theAmerican colonial era.Markers in regional languages such asCebuano,Ilocano,andKapampangan,are also available and issued by the NHCP. Markers are found all over the country, and there have beenmarkers installed outsidethe country. The plaques themselves are permanent signs installed in publicly visible locations on buildings, monuments, or in special locations. There are more than 1,690 markers to date. Most markers are located withinLuzon,especially inMetro Manila(with more than 500), which has prompted the NHCP to install more markers inVisayasandMindanao,for their greater inclusion in the national historical narrative.[20]

Issues and controversieshave also been the concern of several individual markers, from the commemoration of formerPhilippine PresidentFerdinand Marcosto the reaction of the Japanese embassy to thecomfort womenstatue and marker.There have also been some markers replaced by new ones because of rectified information, theft, or loss due to war or disasters. Many American-era markers have been destroyed or were lost as casualties of World War II.

Local municipalities and cities can also install markers of figures and events of local significance. Though they may have the permission of the NHCP, these markers are barred from using theseal of the Republic of the Philippines.[21]

From March to October 2021, quincentennial historical markers were unveiled by the NHCP and theNational Quincentennial Committeeas part of the2021 Quincentennial Commemorationsin the Philippines (QCP). As part of the 125th anniversary of thePhilippine declaration of independencecelebrations, the agency then started unveilingPhilippine Nationhood Trail historical markerssince 2023.

  • Historical markers of the Philippines

Singapore

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Switzerland

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  • Kulturgüterschutz— or:Protection des biens culturels;Cultural heritage protection in Switzerland;orProtezione dei beni culturali

United Kingdom

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ThisGreater London Councilblue plaqueatAlexandra Palacecommemorates the launch ofBBC Televisionthere in 1936.

Blue plaquesare the principal type of historical markers found throughout England and are the closest thing there is to a historical marker system in the UK. An example is the blue plaque scheme run byEnglish HeritageinLondon,although these were originally erected in a variety of shapes and colors. This has been running for over 140 years and is thought to be the oldest system of its kind in the world. Plaques are attached to buildings to commemorate their association with important occupants or events.[22]TheNational Trust(which is anon-profit charity organizationunlike English Heritage and English Heritage properties) has its own similar markers as well.[23][24]TheDead Comics' Societyinstalls blue plaques to commemorate the former residences of well-known comedians, including those ofSid JamesandJohn Le Mesurier.

However, not all historical markers in the United Kingdom are blue, and many are not ceramic. A range of other commemorative plaque schemes, which are typically run by local councils and charitable bodies, exists throughout the United Kingdom. These tend to use their own criteria for determining the eligibility to put up a plaque. There are commemorative plaque schemes inBath,Edinburgh,Brighton,Liverpool,Loughton,and elsewhere—some of which differ from the familiar blue plaque. A scheme inManchesteruses color-coded plaques to commemorate figures, with each of the colors corresponding to the person's occupation. ThePurple Plaques/Placiau Porffor scheme in Wales uses purple to commemorate significant women.[25]In 2003, theLondon BoroughofSouthwarkstarted a plaque scheme which included living people in the awards. Even in London, theWestminster City Councilruns a green plaque scheme which is run alongside that of the blue plaque scheme administered by English Heritage. Other schemes are run by civic societies, district or town councils, orlocal historygroups, and often operate with different criteria.[23][24]

Main article:Memorial Plaque (medallion)

After theFirst World War,the families of British and British Empire (now Commonwealth) service men and women killed during the conflict were presented with bronzeMemorial Plaques.The plaques, of about 125 millimetres (4.9 in) in diameter, were designed by the eminentsculptorandmedallist,Edward Carter Preston.

United States

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In theUnited States,various state governments have commemorative plaque schemes usually using the name historical markers. TheNational Trust for Historic Preservationor the U.S. government, through the National Register of Historic Places, can bestow historical status.

State programmes, such as theCalifornia Register of Historical Resources,allow designated sites to place their own markers.[26]The criteria and circumstances through which a party administers the distribution of historical markers varies. For example, the "Preservation Worcester" program inWorcester, Massachusetts,allows a person to register their house or other structure of least fifty years of age if the building is well preserved, with retention of its original character and importance to the architectural, cultural or historical nature of the localneighborhood.One then pays a fee ($185 to $225) to receive the historical marker itself.[27]

These historical markers indicate the location ofFrancis Parkman House,aNational Historic LandmarkonBeacon HillinBoston, Massachusetts.

In the same state, the Boston neighborhoodCharlestownhas its own local association to administer historical markers.[28]Other historical markers in and around Boston are administered by agencies such asThe Bostonian Society[29]or are associated with sites such as those along theFreedom Trail,theBlack Heritage Trail,and theEmerald Necklace.[30]

Other examples of mostly locally generated historical markers in the United States include the plaque outside theAlaska Governor's Mansionmade by the Alaska Centennial Commission's historical markers program,[31]the historical markers of State Historic Marker Council in Florida,[32]the markers placed by various agencies in Georgia (of which one source mentions 3,292 different historical markers[1]), in Indiana, where it is illegal to create a historical marker in the "state format" without first getting official approval from that state's historical bureau,[33]historical markers in Kansas erected by the Kansas Historical Society and theKansas Department of Transportation,[34]the Roadside Historic Marker Program in Maryland administered by the Maryland Historical Trust,[35]the State Historic Marker Program of New York (begun in 1926 to commemorate the Sequicentennial of theAmerican Revolution),[36]the historic markers placed as recently as 2008 inSussex County, New Jersey,[37]the New Mexico historical markers printed in white letters on a brown background by theNew Mexico Department of Transportation,[38]the historical markers of North Carolina (the Historical Publications Section of the state Office of Archives and History publishes aGuide to North Carolina Highway Historical Markers),[39]the more than 1200 historical markers of Ohio (all of which are now made in aMarietta, Ohio,workshop),[40]and over 550 official state markers in Wisconsin.[41]

See also:

Theft

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As the price of scrap metal has increased plaques have been the target ofmetal thieveswishing to resell the metal for cash.[42]

Awards

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Plaques or, more often, plaquettes, are also given asawardsinstead oftrophiesorribbons.Such plaques usually bear text describing the reason for the award and, often, the date of the award.

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ab"Historic Markers Across Georgia".Latitude 34 North. Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.Retrieved31 October2008.
  2. ^Ezra, Kate (1992).Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.ISBN0810964147.
  3. ^"Benin plaque: the oba with Europeans".The British Museum.Retrieved27 June2015.
  4. ^Plankensteiner, Barbara (22 December 2007)."Benin—Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria".African Arts.40(4). University of California: 74–87.doi:10.1162/afar.2007.40.4.74.ISSN0001-9933.S2CID57571805.Retrieved27 June2015.
  5. ^Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)."Brasses, Monumental".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  6. ^Badham, Sally; Norris, Malcolm (1999).Early Incised Slabs and Brasses.London: Society of Antiquaries.
  7. ^"National Register of Historic Places".National Park Service.Archived fromthe originalon 9 July 2008.Retrieved31 October2008.
  8. ^"The National Trust".Retrieved31 October2008.
  9. ^"An Taisce".National Trust for Ireland.Retrieved31 October2008.
  10. ^"Making their markers".The News & Observer.Archived fromthe originalon 10 February 2009.Retrieved31 October2008.
  11. ^"Blue Plaques".English Heritage.Retrieved16 June2011.
  12. ^Hansard vol 172 17 July 1863 quoted in 'The commemoration of historians under the blue plaque scheme in London' by author Howard Spencer
  13. ^"History of the Blue Plaques Scheme".English Heritage.Retrieved16 June2011.
  14. ^"About blue plaques".Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Archived fromthe originalon 3 October 2023.Retrieved16 June2011.
  15. ^"The Blue Plaque Design".English Heritage.Retrieved16 June2011.
  16. ^"Blue Plaques NSW".Heritage NSW.Retrieved12 May2022.
  17. ^Plaques, Blue (20 November 2023)."New round of Blue Plaques recognises the stories of NSW".Blue Plaques.Retrieved22 November2023.
  18. ^Power, Julie (19 November 2023)."The 'clever girl' who helped build the Harbour Bridge".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved22 November2023.
  19. ^Historical Markers Placed by the Philippine Historical Committee.Manila: Bureau of Printing. 1958.
  20. ^"2011-2012.pdf".Google Docs.Retrieved2 February2018.
  21. ^"GUIDELINES_IDENTIF CLASSIF AND RECOG OF HIST SITES & STRUCTS IN THE PHIL.pdf".Google Docs.Retrieved2 February2018.
  22. ^"History of the Blue Plaques Scheme".Retrieved30 July2012.
  23. ^abMarkeroniArchived15 January 2016 at theWayback Machine,Information about historical markers and historical plaques, and historic preservation in England, British Isles.
  24. ^ab"English Heritage".English Heritage. 26 October 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  25. ^"Purple plaque stories".Purple plaques.Retrieved2 July2021.
  26. ^Chung, Yun Shun Susie. "Collections of Historical Markers and Signage and Public Programming Online at Public History Institutions Such as Museums and Archives."Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals13, no. 3-4 (2017): 243+.
  27. ^"Preservationworcester.org".Preservationworcester.org. Archived fromthe originalon 6 November 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  28. ^"Charlestownpreservation.org".Charlestownpreservation.org. Archived fromthe originalon 5 October 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  29. ^2007 Catalogue For Philanthropy
  30. ^"Boston National Historic Park".Nps.gov. 17 November 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  31. ^"Alaska Historic Markers".Waymarking. 31 January 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  32. ^"Florida Heritage & Preservation"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 20 August 2006.
  33. ^"Historical Marker FAQs".In.gov. 16 June 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 15 February 2009.Retrieved30 November2011.
  34. ^"Kansas Historical Markers".Kshs.org.Retrieved30 November2011.
  35. ^"Maryland Historical Trust".mht.maryland.gov.
  36. ^"New York State Museum".Nysm.nysed.gov. 1 December 1998. Archived fromthe originalon 5 September 2015.Retrieved30 November2011.
  37. ^"Sussex County News and Information".Sussex.nj.us. 14 May 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  38. ^New Mexico Department of Transportation[dead link]
  39. ^News ObserverArchived10 February 2009 at theWayback Machine(26 July 2006)
  40. ^"Manufacturing Ohio's Historic Markers".Touring-ohio. Archived fromthe originalon 2 October 2011.Retrieved30 November2011.
  41. ^"Wisconsin Historical Society".Wisconsinhistory.org. Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2017.Retrieved30 November2011.
  42. ^Hightower, Eve (13 December 2007)."Stanislaus supervisor wants recycling ordinance used to fight metal theft regionally".The Modesto Bee. Archived fromthe originalon 23 February 2008.Retrieved17 November2010.

General and cited references

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  • English Heritage,Blue Plaques: A Guide to the Scheme,2002
  • James Loewen,Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong,1999.
  • Nick Rennison,The London Blue Plaque Guide,2003
  • Derek Sumeray,Discovering London Plaques,1999
  • Derek Sumeray,Track the Plaque,2003
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