Bronze markers identify Fredericksburg's historic buildings.

…and may be requested for your building, too. The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation’s oval bronze markers on over 200 historic structures educate the public, provide atmosphere to our downtown, and add distinction to individual homes and commercial buildings. To this end, Marker Program volunteers conduct the appropriate research, prepare a Building Marker Report, and designate the structure with a distinctive bronze marker. Please contact us to volunteer for the research committee, to request a marker, or to consult previous marker reports.

Criteria:
Types of buildings considered:
Private residences
Commercial buildings
Factories
Industrial buildings
Mills
Churches
Schools
Municipal buildings

To be eligible:
~ Generally, a building must be at least 50 years old and located in the City of Fredericksburg to be considered for research and a marker.
~ The building's exterior must be either completely restored or properly maintained in accordance with its architectural style and character.
~ All changes and alterations to the building's exterior must be consistent with its architectural integrity.
~ If a building has been moved from its original site, it must maintain its historic architectural style.
~ The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings will be considered when evaluating all restoration and rehabilitation work. (Contact the HFFI office for a copy of this publication.)

Marker
Each bronze oval marker is individually designed and cast exclusively for your building and lists the original owner/builder and the date of construction. If space permits on the 7" x 10" marker, a key element of the structure's historic significance will be included.
HFFI installs the marker on your building, with special tamper-proof screws, free of charge. The time of installation and the location of the marker on the building will be discussed with you prior to installation.

Fees
Research Report Fee
Members - $250
Non-Members - $300
Marker Fee
Members & Non-Members - $175

Application
To apply for a research report and a Historic Fredericksburg Building Marker, complete the inquiry form and forward it to the HFFI office. Whenever possible, research is done on a "first come, first served" basis.
If a researcher is not available at the time of application, the accepted application will be kept on a waiting list until a researcher becomes available. The applicant assumes the cost of the research and the marker. The research fees will be due only when a researcher has been assigned.

Research
Our volunteer researchers have a strong interest in Fredericksburg's history. They are thoroughly trained in the use of materials unique to Fredericksburg and bring a variety of backgrounds and skills to the research process.
Volunteers examine primary sources at the Fredericksburg Courthouse, the Virginiana Room of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Spotsylvania County Courthouse, Mary Washington College and other repositories. If you already have information on your property, a researcher will verify it and incorporate the material into the final report. In order to qualify for a bronze marker, research must be reevaluated by a member of the Marker Committee.
The duration of the project is determined by the volunteer's time, the complexity of the property's history and the availability of historic documentation. You should note that it may take a year or longer to complete.
A completed Building Marker Report includes a property's chain of title, land-tax information, information about previous owners and uses, and copies of relevant documents. You will receive a bound copy of the completed report, along with suggested information to be included on the bronze marker.