Berkeley Historical Plaque Project

The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project, founded in 1997, is a Berkeley, California non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to document Berkeley’s history through plaques identifying locations of historical import.[1][2] Sponsors include the City of Berkeley, Berkeley’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association[3] (BAHA) and the Berkeley Historical Society (BHS).[4][5][6][7]

Berkeley Landmark Plaque: Main Branch Library, Downtown Berkeley
Thousand Oaks Neighborhood and Urns Plaque (2011)

Project members work with building owners to develop and install distinctive oval green enamel plaques identifying the names, dates and significance of historic buildings. Rectangular plaques with a cream-white background color identify sites of historic interest and often include an historic photo image of the site.

In 2002 the Project was given a “President’s Award”[8][9] by the California Preservation Foundation “in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of Historic Preservation.” That same year the Mayor and Berkeley’s City Council commended Project members for “their tireless efforts to make Berkeley’s history a vital part of our present community.”[10]

e-Plaques

In 2012 the Plaque Project launched a website documenting its work. Plaques are categorized by geographic areas and linked to interactive maps. Texts are accompanied by historic photos and links to external articles, lectures, and videos. The website expands the Project’s reach into the realm of “e-Plaques” that virtually document historic buildings, homes of notable Berkeley residents, and even unique natural phenomena. Crowd-sourcing is used to expand the texts and photos.[11] With viewer contributions, over time this section will evolve into a collaborative portrait of Berkeley.

References
  1. The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project is a subsidiary of the Building Conservancy of Northern California, a California Public Benefit Corporation located in Alameda County, California.
  2. September 9, 1999 ,“Principals and Policies Berkeley Historical Plaque Project”: “The goal of the Berkeley Historical Plaque Project is to promote the appreciation and understanding of Berkeley’s history and architectural heritage through the installation of attractive, publicly visible, and permanent markers on historic buildings, sites, and locations.” Goal modified in 2012 to include website virtual texts.
  3. BAHA Newsletter: NO.97. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. 1999-02-01.
  4. Finacom, Steve (November 1998) Berkeley Design Advocates Update, “The Plaques Are Coming” lists the Project’s first installed plaques.
  5. Albert, Marc (July 8, 1999) The Berkeley Voice, “Markers Bring History to Life”, p.1 and (July 18, 1999) The Contra Costa Times, “Berkeley’s Past is on the Walls), p. A28. In two articles the author documents 24 historic plaques installed in Berkeley.
  6. Wesley, Gregory (April 26, 2000) The Daily Californian, “City Honors Beat Poet with Plaque,” p.15 discusses a Berkeley History plaque commemorating the site where Allen Ginsberg wrote parts of “Howl” and the near-by park honoring the city’s poets.
  7. Apple , R. W. Jr. (January 17, 2003) The New York Times, “In Berkeley Art With Curb Appeal,” p.D4, discusses Berkeley Architect Bernard Maybeck and a plaque documenting one of his residences.
  8. California Preservation: VOLUME 27, No. 2. California Preservation Foundation. 2002-07-01. ISSN 1521-1576.
  9. "California Preservation Website".
  10. In a September 2, 2002 memorandum Council Member Miriam Hawley recommended that the Berkeley Historical Plaque Project be honored. The recommendation was subsequently passed unanimously. http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/2002citycouncil/packet/091002/2002-09-10%20Item%2024.pdf
  11. "Berkeleyside.com: Crowd-Soucing History".
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