HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA FOUNDATION, INC.

HAF Plaque

HAF Plaque Program

The Foundation’s Historic Plaque Program was initiated during the 1960s when the survival of downtown Alexandria was threatened by the Federal Urban Renewal Program. It was based upon a similar program in Philadelphia of marking historic structures that were threatened with demolition, and thereby raising public awareness of surviving early buildings.

Plaques
A HAF bronze plaque signifies a historic building and a commitment to maintain its character for the future.

Today, an HAF bronze plaque on a house is a symbol that the owners of these special houses are stewards of Alexandria’s architectural heritage. Buildings throughout the city that are one hundred years old, and which retain their architectural integrity, may be eligible for a plaque. The plaques may be awarded after an inspection by an independent consulting architect or architectural historian, using the criteria below. The Foundation’s objective is to increase the number of plaques on qualifying properties in Alexandria.

Criteria for Awarding Plaques

Here are some examples of the application of these standards:
Patton Fowle House
This house on the 700 block of Prince Street reflects the neo-classical influence of Charles Bulfinch.