Ready for a Plaque?

HWF's Plaque Application

Historic Wilmington Foundation’s plaque program is one of the most prolific in America: to date, we have given out over 700 plaques. Adorning cottages, mansions, alleyways, beach bungalows, and more, HWF’s hand-painted plaques recognize historically and architecturally significant structures across three North Carolina Counties. 

What is a plaque, and what does it do?

HWF’s hand-painted plaques are an educational tool meant to encourage recognition, stewardship and preservation of the region’s historic resources. The research for approved applications is also archived at the New Hanover County Public Library for accessible community information about the region’s local built history. 

Please note that HWF’s historic plaques do not introduce preservation regulations onto any property, designate it as a historic landmark, or as a property on any inventories such as the National Register of Historic Places.

Is my house eligible for a historic plaque?

To be considered for a Historic Wilmington Foundation historic plaque, a structure must be 75 years of age or older, retain its overall historic and architectural integrity, and be located in New Hanover, Pender, or Brunswick County. Buildings more than 50 years old at Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach also qualify. Here’s what their various colors signify:

Russet plaques: 75-99 years old
Black plaques: 100+ years old
Goldenrod plaques: 150-199 years old
Sapphire blue plaques: 200+ years old

HWF Plaque Research Guide
Download Plaque Application

Cost of a Plaque

Effective January 1, 2025, HWF’s historic plaques cost $400 for members, and $450 for non-members. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due with the submission of all plaque applications. The deposit will go toward the total cost of the plaque, which will be due once your application is approved and ready to be ordered.

Non-members become members for 1 year with the purchase of a plaque!

If you are interested in a historic plaque but may need financial assistance to purchase one, please contact the program’s staff liaison, Karla Berrios at plaques@historicwilmington.org or call 910-762-2511!

75-99 Years: Russet

100-149 Years: Black

150-199 Years: Goldenrod

200+ Years: Sapphire

Application Process

Plaque ownership begins with research, and our application is designed to lead you through it step-by-step. Our Plaque Research Guide also offers further details on how to research your historic structure.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed in the order they are received. Instructions for submission are included on the application.
After receiving your application, HWF staff will contact you regarding next steps. Please note that we cannot guarantee your plaque will be ready by a specific date. An estimated timeline will be provided via email, but is subject to change.
For more details, see our Frequently Asked Questions, below. 

FIND A RESEARCHER

Is research just not your thing? No problem!
Here are local, experienced plaque researchers available for hire:

Port City Architecture

PORT CITY ARCHITECTURE ONLINE is a special database within the digital archives of the New Hanover Public Libraries. It features most buildings that have been plaqued by HWF since the 1970s, and includes the plaque text along with a photo of the property.

FAQs

How long will it take to get a plaque?

While the process from submission of an application to receipt of a plaque often takes 4-6 months, this legacy is worth the wait!  After you’ve completed your research and submitted your application, here’s the approximate timeline for the plaque application process: 

  1. HWF staff reviews the application for accuracy and completion. (1-3 months)
    • If the application is missing necessary information, it will be sent back for edits and slow down the process. Therefore, it is best to be as thorough as possible prior to submitting your application and reach out to HWF with any questions.
  2. The application is shared with the all-volunteer Plaque Committee for review, discussion and approval. (1-3 months)
  3. HWF emails the approved plaque text to the homeowner, in addition to a link for payment. (1 week)
  4. The homeowner approves the text and provides payment. To keep the process moving speedily, be sure to respond to this email promptly! (0-3 months)
  5. HWF places the order, and a local sign-making artist hand paints and letters the plaque. (2-4 months)
Who does the research for the plaque text?

Research is typically completed by the owner and submitted to the HWF Plaque Committee for review in the form of the application. The plaque application is designed to lead any person through the research, step-by-step. If you choose, you may hire someone to do the research for you.

My historic structure already has an HWF plaque. Do I still need to do the research and submit an application for a replacement?

Whether your plaque has seen better days or is eligible for a different color, a new plaque application must still be submitted.  The purpose of a new application is to fact-check the old plaque text and update it to the committee’s current guidelines. However, you have the advantage of reviewing the original application and may have little research to do. Old plaque application files are available in the New Hanover County Public Library’s Local History Room, located at the Main Branch in downtown. More recent application files are housed at HWF. Please call 910-762-2511 with any questions.

Replacement plaques also receive a $50 discount! A “repaint” is $295 for members and $345 for non-members, which will include a 1-year “Household/Family” level membership with HWF. 

Who decides on the wording of the plaque?

After the Plaque Committee approves the research, they compose a plaque text for the building. HWF staff will send you a copy of the approved text to review. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the plaque text, the committee will work with you, within the current standards set for HWF plaques. However, please note the committee makes the final decision regarding the plaque text. 

See our Plaque Research Guide for details on what information is included in plaque text.

What happens to the researched information after my plaque is approved?

The information you gather in the application process is a permanent record of your building and will be available to historians and researchers for years to come. The summary worksheet and all additional information generated by your research will be filed permanently at Historic Wilmington Foundation headquarters. A copy is also kept in the New Hanover County Library’s Local History Room. Some plaque research is now being placed online at the Port City Architecture map maintained by the public library.

What if I get stuck in the research process?

Don’t worry—we can help! Contact our staff liaison by calling 910.762.2511 or emailing plaques@historicwilmington.org to talk through your questions and difficulties. We also have many volunteers who are more than happy to assist, and staff can put you in touch with them by request.