Our Historic Marker Program.
Greater Portland Landmarks (GPL) was founded with the express purpose of saving our architectural heritage from neglect and thoughtless destruction. The recognition of our area’s great wealth of historically and architecturally significant structures is an important step toward that goal. Our Historic Marker Program identifies buildings of both architectural and historical merit, whose integrity has not been compromised by incompatible additions and alterations.
To qualify for a Greater Portland Landmarks’ marker you need to complete an application form, including a brief history and architectural description of the building. The GPL Marker Committee reviews the applications to determine if the building meets the criteria of good physical condition and if it displays the original architectural intent of the builder/architect. Documentation of the date of construction and name of the original owner is necessary for a marker.
Any rehabilitation work on the structure must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, as interpreted by GPL’s Marker Committee. These federally-approved standards are listed on the National Park Service Website. If you have any questions about the rehabilitation work you are planning, you may want to visit the Frances W. Peabody Research Library or consult with an architect.
The entire process, from the time you submit a marker application to delivery of the marker, can take six to eight months.
**NOTE: Our marker program is currently on hold. We have a waiting list for interested parties and are looking at redesigning the markers. We expect to make markers available again in 2010.