Criteria for Awarding Plaques
- The building must be at least one hundred years old, as
documented by a combination of records (title search, tax
records, wills, etc.).
- The principal facades of the building visible from the street
or any public right of way must maintain integrity of form,
materials, and architectural features consistent with the
dominant period of the building.
Here are some examples of the application of these standards:
- All windows must have true divided lights appropriate to the period of
the structure.
- Shutters must be appropriate to the style of the structure and must be
operable.
- Artificial materials, including artificial siding of any
type, are prohibited.
- Buildings of the late 19th and early 20th century
with pressed brick and terra cotta facades
should not be painted, without conclusive evidence that they
originally were painted.
- Prominent features, such as historic doors, front porches and stoops,
and dormers significantly affect the appearance of a
building. If such an element is missing and is known to
have existed, or is present in a manner inappropriate to the
period (or early evolution) and style of the structure, then
the building may not qualify for a historic plaque unless
appropriate restoration is undertaken.
- Lighting fixtures and house numerals should be in scale and
appropriate to the period of the structure.
Note: Where a single eligible building has been subdivided, the Foundation
will consider granting separate plaques to individual units,
provided such units have separate entrances and street numbers.