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.