The Norton Historical Society Historic Marker Program

From historic cemeteries, parsonages, school houses and places of significant events and people, the town of Norton is rich with sites that document a legacy of diverse people, ideas, events and cultures. The Norton Historical Society (NHS) has re-initiated the Historic Marker Program by which homes, structures, districts, grounds, or other entities that bear historical relevance may participate in a historical plaque/marker program. There are already over a dozen markers placed throughout Norton. The photos above are examples of several of the historic properties with their markers.

Owners and people wishing to gift a marker of a qualified historical site(s) and/or structure(s) in Norton can apply for a customized marker/plaque to display on the property for a fee of $100.00 which covers the cost of the design and production of the marker, review of the information by the Historical Society regarding accuracy of the information, and delivery of the finished marker. The marker becomes the property and the responsibility of the current homeowner. This program imposes no restrictions on the property owner. In addition, the Norton Historical Society will include a free one year individual subscription to the Society!

Why Display a Marker?

The Historical Marker Program in Norton reinforces the collective memory of many diverse people, past and present, who share a common heritage by building an understanding and neighborhood pride through knowledge. In addition to their educational role, historic markers/plaques promote an appreciation of places and help preserve sites and their characteristics for the long term. The NHS works with the two Historic District Commissions in town (Norton Center Historic District Commission and the Norton Historic Commission), individuals, and the public in soliciting and encouraging nominations to the marker program under the established criteria.

General qualifications:

Initial qualification includes: 100 years in age or older from the current year.

Additional qualifications: a site of an historic event, a person of historic significance attached to the property, or a structure/site of historically significant architectural design.

Additional Information:

1. If you need to research your site’s historical background, please visit the NHS at 18 West Main St. in the Old Schoolhouse. We are open from 10 AM til 2 PM Mondays and Wednesdays, or call 508-285-7070 or contact us via email: nortonhistoricalsociety@verizon.net.
2. We will review applications on a timely basis and will contact you with any questions and/or approval. Your information will then be sent to the sign maker for processing with an anticipated turnaround of about ten business days unless delays prevail. You will be contacted when your marker is finished and ready for pickup at the NHS.
3. A copy of your application will be kept on record with the NHS for reference.
4. The owner of the marker is responsible for placing the marker at the intended site. We ask that all markers, if possible, be placed on the front of the building in the upper left side about ten feet from the ground so that the possibility of it being stolen is minimized.
5. We, the NHS, are not responsible for misinformation or misspellings of sign information once the owner has approved the final draft. It’s the owner’s responsibility to supply legible and accurate information on the application form.